Sunday 30th November 2014
Rainbow heralds RORC Transatlantic Race start
© RORC/James Mitchell
After two delays to the start due to horrendous weather conditions, the RORC Transatlantic Race in association with the International Maxi Association started from Puerto Calero Marina at 1000 UTC, Sunday 30th November.
It was third time lucky as the RORC fleet departed Puerto Calero Marina, Lanzarote bound for Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada West Indies, 3000 miles away across the Atlantic Ocean. Rain squalls had been disturbing the air in the early hours of the morning, but virtually nothing would have prevented the eager fleet to set off on the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race. Sunshine and a gentle northerly breeze prevailed for the start - the only abnormal weather feature was a perfect double rainbow, pointing the way to the turning mark off Marina Lanzarote, Arrecife - the only mark of the course before the fleet would make landfall in Grenada.
American Class40, Oakcliff Racing, skippered by Hobie Ponting, got away well and took an inshore line to take the lead. However, the young team from Rhode Island were soon overhauled by a trio of Maxi yachts; Jean-Paul Riviere's French Finot 100, Nomad IV, Russian Southern Wind 94, Windfall skippered by Fabrizio Oddone and Jeremy Pilkington's British RP78, Lupa of London.
The rainbow was not the only surreal experience at the start, a fleet of young Spanish Optimist sailors had decided to use the yellow inflatable turning mark for a training session. However, three loud blasts from the coach's whistle recalled the young sailors to a safe position, as humming deck gear and huge sail area, announced the imminent arrival of the Maxi fleet. No doubt the young sailors will tell the tale for years to come.
Five hours into the race, Nomad IV had rounded the southern tip of Lanzarote just ahead of Windfall and Lupa of London. Derek Hatfield's Canadian Volvo 60, Spirit of Adventure was leading the chasing pack. Frank Lang's French X-40, Optim'X showed impressive speed, making the turning mark in the company of Class40, Oakcliff Racing and ahead of Nigel Passmore's British J/133, Apollo 7.
Quotes from the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race:
Optim'X skipper, Frank Lang is taking part in his fifth Transatlantic race:
"I wanted to participate in this new RORC adventure and to share the experience with sailing friends," commented Frank. "We're looking forward to some fun racing and competition and to the long spinnaker surf rides bought on by the trade winds. It will be interesting to compare our result on corrected time with the big boats in the fleet."
Don José Calero, President Calero Marinas:
"It has been an absolute pleasure to see the impressive racing machines for this inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race in Puerto Calero. We have enjoyed hosting the crews and helping them to discover our incredible island of Lanzarote and we are pleased that they seem to have appreciated everything that Puerto Calero Marina has to offer."
"We would like to thank Eddie Warden Owen and the RORC team for choosing Puerto Calero for what we very much hope will become an established and popular annual event and we are already looking forward to next year for the second edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race."
RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen:
"Just over two years ago, the RORC decided to start a transatlantic race and it is just fantastic to see these yachts away. I am delighted to see a really co
mpetitive start. They were all pushing very hard, even though it is an endurance test for them, I am very proud to see them all going especially after the amazing weather we have had this week. The plan has come together, we have 11 boats for the first edition, but this race will grow and become a classic in the future."
RORC Admiral & Secretary General of the IMA, Andrew McIrvine:
"It is an impressive sight to watch the Maxis powering away. Once the breeze came up, the acceleration was absolutely phenomenal and they just sped away from the rest of the fleet and I am sure the Maxis will have a great battle. They have only been going for an hour, but they are already changing sails and employing boat-on-boat tactics and the lead has changed three times already. This is a perfect race for Maxis at a perfect time of year to cross the Atlantic in superb conditions to take part in the IMA Caribbean season."
ENDS/...
Follow the progress of the race via the fleet tracker:
http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/tracking/2014-fleet-tracking.html
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Finot 100, Nomad IV bound for Grenada - inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race - © RORC/James Mitchell
Next stop Grenada: RORC Transatlantic Race fleet with the dramatic Lanzarote landscape in the background
© RORC/James Mitchell
RORC Transatlantic fleet leaves Puerto Calero Marina, Lanzarote © RORC/James Mitchell
Oakcliff Racing, Class40 © RORC/James Mitchell
About to take off across the Atlantic - Southern Wind 94, Windfall © RORC/James Mitchell
After the warm hospitality and enthusiasm shown for the first edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race at Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, the fleet head towards Arrecife before making passage for the Caribbean island of Grenada
© RORC/James Mitchell
Following the rainbow: Lupa of London, Baltic 78 and Frank Lang's X40, Optim'X at the start of the
RORC Transatlantic Race © RORC/James Mitchell
Sail No. Yacht Type Class TCC Owner Sailed By
GBR 23 Lupa Of London Baltic 78 CK 1.426 Jeremy Pilkington
Class Total: 1
MLT 14742 Nomad IV Finot 100 Z 1.713 FC CUBE LTD Jean-Paul Riviere
MLT 7777 Windfall Southern Wind 94 Z 1.516 WF Services Ltd Fabrizio Oddone
GBR 3671 Spirit of Adventure Volvo 60 Z 1.407 Derek Hatfield
Class Total: 3
USA 118 Oakcliff Racing Class40 1 1.301 Dan Flanigan
FRA 26 Sensation Class 40 Class40 1 1.251 Marc Lepesqueux
GBR 68007 Yacana Swan 68 1 1.208 Aref Lahham
FRA 37573 Bingo Pogo 40 1 1.178 Yves Haudiquet
Class Total: 4
GBR 133 Apollo 7 J/133 2 1.092 Nigel Passmore
FRA 35390 Optim'X X 40 2 1.066 Frank Lang
Class Total: 2
FRA 36541 Sérénade JNP 12 Biquille 3 1.010 Denis Villotte
Class Total: 1
Total: 11
For more information visit the dedicated event minisite: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/
Follow the progress of the race via the fleet tracker:
http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/tracking/2014-fleet-tracking.html
Follow us on Facebook Like us on Facebook
Twitter: #rorcrtr
Puerto Calero in Lanzarote comprises Calero Marinas' most established sailing destination. Drawing on a strong nautical heritage and firm family values, the Calero Marinas group has become renowned for its elegant hosting of prestigious race events
All the best values of yachting are present here, from the optimum facilities provided in these attractive marina surroundings, to the warm and helpful welcome shared with local yacht clubs; each upholding long-established maritime traditions
http://www.puertocalero.com/
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