Blog From The Seas
From: Ken Read, Skipper PUMA's Mar Mostro
Date: July 4, 2011: Transatlantic Race 2011
Back in the saddle again.
It’s unreal, actually. I wish I could say all was great, but to be honest,
it was pretty hard leaving home yesterday knowing that your goal is to
sail around the world. It’s quite daunting when you are reading the paper
and having your last cup of coffee the morning before departing.
Of course, the first step is continued training which includes this race
across the pond. But, the fact is we have left Newport with a mission, and
the next time this boat touches American soil (hopefully in Miami after
Leg 6), she will have completed a true lap…the long way.
July 3, 2011, has been on our team’s calendar ever since the New York
Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club joined forces to create this
race – that seems like an eternity ago. Since then, we have put together a
team, designed and built a boat, trained, tested, built and re-built a
program that everyone involved should be very proud of. Step No. 1 is
complete. Now, it’s on to step two, and we are currently in the thick of
it. Rambler 100 (the monster) is showing everyone the way. But to be
honest, we are pleasantly surprised that we are well ahead of the other
100-footer, Leopard, at this stage.
Right after the fantastic send off that Newport gave us, Leopard snuck by
when we were on the wind. But as soon as we cracked to a reach, we were
actually able to hold our own, and about a half hour later we got around
them and sailed away. We were all really surprised, and it certainly gives
us some extra incentive to push the boat hard. For sure, the 100-footer
will have conditions where they are quite a bit faster, but for now our
little 70-footer is doing just fine.
It’s the Fourth of July back home, and I am missing the Bristol Parade
with my daughter, Tory, and our friends the Scotts and the Dimeos. It has
been a father-daughter deal since the kids could sit up by themselves, and
is another reason to be a little home sick right now.
But, it is back to racing. The Sable Islands are not too far away, and we
are making great time even though we are in quite a bit less breeze than
anticipated.
Again, thanks a ton to all the friends and family who really made us feel
special with the send off from Newport. It always means a lot, and
especially yesterday.
-- Kenny
For updates and photos, visit: www.puma.com/sailing
Track PUMA’s Mar Mostro in the Transatlantic Race 2011 at:
www.transatlanticrace.org
Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PumaOceanRacing
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