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2010 Race Updates
Sevenstar Round Britian & Ireland Race 2014
Written by Nick Elliot Thursday, 28 July 2011 16:28
The next edition of the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race will take place in 2014. Watch this space for dates and race information.
For the Record
Written by RORC Thursday, 30 September 2010 08:42
The WSSR Council announces the ratification of two new World Records, both established during the recent Round Britain and Ireland Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club:
Record: Around Britain and Ireland. Monohull
Yacht: "Groupama 70" Volvo Open 70
Name: Franck Cammas FRA and a crew of 9
Dates: 23/08/2010 to 29/08/2010
Start time: 1300 UTC. 23/08/10
Finish time: 10;26;55 UTC. 29/08/10
Elapsed time: 5d 21h 26m 55s
Distance: 1787 NM
Average speed: 12.63 kts
Comments: Previous record: "Aviva". Dee Caffari GBR. Jun 09. 6d 11h 30m 53s
Record: Around Britain and Ireland. 40 ft Category
Yacht: "Concise 2" 39.8 ft Monohull
Name: Ned Collier-Wakefield GBR and a crew of 5
Dates: 23/08/2010 to 02/09/2010
Start time: 1300 UTC. 23/08/10
Finish time: 02;32;20 UTC 02/09/10
Elapsed time: 9d 13h 32m 20s
Distance: 1787 NM
Average speed: 7.78 kts
Comments: Previous record: "Roaring Forty" Michel Kleinjans BEL. June 04. 11d 12h 26m 48s
Signed: John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council
2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race Winners
Written by Nick Elliot Monday, 27 September 2010 14:21
IRC SZCK and IRC Overall - Artemis Ocean Racing sailed by Jonny Malbon
IRC Super Zero - Ambersail sailed by Simonas Steponavicius
IRC Zero - Tonnerre de Breskens 3 sailed by Piet Vroon
IRC One - Encore sailed by Steven Anderson
IRC Two - Winsome sailed by Harry Heijst
Volvo 70 - Groupama 70 sailed by Franck Cammas
Class40 Division - Concise 2 sailed by Ned Collier Wakefield
End of an epic
Written by Louay Habib Tuesday, 07 September 2010 11:19
The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race proved to be one of the most thrilling record-breaking races in years. There was drama, even before the start of this challenging race.
A potentially boat breaking low depression was predicted to hit the west coast of Ireland at precisely the moment when the majority of the fleet would be there and caught out with nowhere to run. To avoid the extreme weather the Royal Ocean Racing Club took the decision to reverse the course and race anti-clockwise around Britain and Ireland. The race is 1802 miles long and highly tactical with frequent changes to the weather and sea state. Racing around Britain and Ireland is a real challenge. At one time or another all of the competing yachts experienced some testing conditions and it would be over two weeks before some of the competitors would complete the course.
The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race exploded into action on the 23rd August, under grey leaden skies and big breeze.
ICAP Leopard and Telefónica Azul were a hair-raising sight as RORC Chief Executive Eddie Warden Owen reported from the racecourse:
"It was a magnificent start, 25 knots from the southwest with gusts of up to 30 knots coming out of the Medina River. Telefónica was an impressive sight, built to race at full tilt around the world, she carried her enormous spinnaker to blast past Leopard at over 25 knots. It was a really impressive sight to see these huge machines charging down the Solent leaving the rest of the 27-strong fleet in their wake."
Volvo Open 70, Groupama, were 15 minutes late to start having been damaged on their mooring. The French team made a hasty repair and although Groupama started last, it wasn't long before they were screaming through the fleet, chasing ICAP Leopard and Telefónica Azul. However, Mike Slade's record attempt was short lived. Sadly, only hours after the start, ICAP Leopard was forced to retire with a broken boom gooseneck.
Telefónica Azul was scorching along at a blistering speed. After the first 24 hours of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race the Spanish yacht had covered an astonishing 440 miles. Hurtling along behind them was Groupama, pushing hard.
Groupama were stalking their prey, waiting for any opportunity and it came by way of a rigging problem on Telefónica Azul. Groupama stormed into the lead and didn't put a foot wrong the whole race. Telefónica Azul got very close to catching their rivals but never managed to get passed them. Groupama crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron Line in under six days: smashing the course record by over 14 hours.
A Game of Two Halves
Written by Louay Habib Friday, 03 September 2010 14:31
Race Update: Friday 3 September 2010
It has been over 24 hours since any yacht competing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race finished. However a goal rush is expected for the second half, with three boats expected in the early hours of tomorrow morning and the majority accounted for by Sunday.
There are still 12 yachts racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race but Keith Gibbs' C&C 115, Change of Course, pulled into Dingle on the west coast of
Artemis Ocean Racing claim overall victory
Written by Louay Habib Thursday, 02 September 2010 10:08
This morning, RORC Racing Manager, Ian Loffhagen announced;
"Whilst there are still yachts racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. The unusual easterly winds are hampering their progress to the finish.
There is no real possibility of a competing yacht eclipsing the corrected time set by Artemis Ocean Racing. Therefore, Artemis Ocean Racing, can claim victory in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race overall under IRC, as well as the course record for an IMOCA 60.
Congratulations to Jonny Malbon and his crew on Artemis Ocean Racing."
Short and Sweet
Written by Louay Habib Thursday, 02 September 2010 08:39
Morning Report - Thursday 2nd September
Concise 2 wins the Class 40 Division & claims the Round Britain and Ireland record for yachts of up to 40ft.
Last night at 03:32:20 BST, Tony Lawson's Class 40, Concise 2 skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron line to finish the Sevenstar Round Britain and
Another Race Record on the Cards
Written by Louay Habib Wednesday, 01 September 2010 16:13
Afternoon Report - Wednesday 1st September
At 1600 BST, Tony Lawson's Class 40 Concise, skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield was 62 miles from the finish of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. For Concise, the wind was still on the nose as it has been for much of the race, but an increase in wind speed to 17 knots means it will be a bumpy last few hours for the team, but spirits are high for an earlier finish time.
Tonnerre run out of gas
Written by Louay Habib Wednesday, 01 September 2010 10:58
Morning Report - Wednesday 1st September
At just before 2 a.m. this morning, The British Keelboat Academy's TP52, John Merricks II crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron Line to finish the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. The 14 young crew on board should have taken a bow, but instead they were organising packing up the boat and plan to be back competing in the RORC offshore race to Cherbourg on Friday. Completing this tough and challenging yacht race in a boat that was not constructed for that purpose is some achievement and the John Merricks II crew should be highly regarded for their impeccable boat handling.
Tonnerre Expected Tonight
Written by Louay Habib Tuesday, 31 August 2010 14:48
Afternoon Race Report – Tuesday 31st August
At 1300 BST, Piet Vroon’s Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens is tantalizingly close to an overall victory in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. With 101 miles to go, Tonnerre de Breskens could well make it to the Royal Yacht Squadron Line before 01:54:35 tomorrow morning. None of the other boats still racing have a real chance of beating them on corrected time.
The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is now well into the eighth day. The crew on the racing yachts will have become totally accustomed to life on board. The yacht and its contents is all they have. For days now they have been confined to their yachts, matters that have no real importance in normal life become desperately important, even losing a hat or a glove can have a major effect on them. For those yachts out off the west coast of Ireland, they may not have seen land or even another ship for days. To the crew racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, the yacht has become their own little world.
Desperately close
Written by Louay Habib Tuesday, 31 August 2010 09:03
Morning Race Report - Tuesday 31 August
There where tense moments last night, as Simonas Steponavicius' Volvo 60, Ambersail made a dash for the finish line of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. They were desperately close to taking the overall lead on handicap. The Lithuanian Volvo 60 passed St. Catherine's Point on the south side of the Isle of Wight just before midnight, averaging 13 knots. They knew that if they could keep up that speed, they were going to take the overall lead. Turning downwind into the
At 0700 BST, Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens was 142 miles from the finish, going upwind at eight and a half knots. If they can keep up that pace, they should finish the race by 0100 tomorrow morning. They will be hoping that the breeze will hold out during the day. For the moment they are on course to eclipse Artemis Ocean Racing's corrected time and take the overall lead on handicap in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, but it is going to be very close.
The clock is ticking
Written by Louay Habib Monday, 30 August 2010 15:38
Afternoon Race Report - Monday, 30 August
At 1500 BST the wind across the racecourse had gone to the northeast and patchy with large areas of no wind at all.
Simonas Steponavicius' Volvo 60, Ambersail was 151 miles from the finish, heading inshore presumably to take advantage of the tidal race at Portland Bill. The Lithuanian boat was achieving over eight knots but need to average over 14 knots to take the overall prize. John Merricks II was around Land's End with 195 miles to go; they need to average nearly 17 knots to beat the corrected time of the current leader.
Earlier today Luke McCarthy, skipper of John Merricks II had this to say from on board: "We have just passed Bishop Rock and we have had a sweepstake on when we will finish: 1100 to 1800 hours tomorrow is the spread. It looks as though we will have yet more upwind work to do for the last leg of this race. The beat up to Muckle Flugga really took its toll on the boat and crew, and we have hardly had the spinnaker up at all since we passed Dover all those days ago. The British Keelboat Academy was well prepared for this race, but we could definitely have waterproofed the boat better; there are a few trickles from deck leaks, but the occasional torrent of water coming down the companion way, makes life pretty unpleasant down below, as well as on deck."
Lighter weather sets in
Written by Louay Habib Monday, 30 August 2010 09:42
Morning Race Report - Monday 30 August
IMOCA 60 Artemis Ocean Racing have set the benchmark for the overall winner on handicap honours and it looks like it could go to the wire. At 0800 BST Lithuanian Volvo 60, Ambersail had 143 miles to go and were achieving a speed of seven and half knots. If they continue at that pace, they will finish at about 0400 BST. To beat Artemis Ocean Racing, they have to increase their speed and finish by 0144. However, the British Keelboat Academy's TP52, John Merricks II had 239 miles to go at 0800 BST and are also in with a chance of claiming the overall prize. But, as a ridge of high pressure from the west comes across the race course, the breeze is set to fade, which may alter things dramatically.
At the moment, Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens is the handicap leader and favourite to take the race win. Boat Captain, Matt Trautman called in as the boat went around the Fastnet lighthouse last night: "We had an amazing run down the west coast of Ireland with full main and the A3 up we were really trucking along; 24 knots was our top speed. Now things have gone a little lighter, but we still have 14 knots of wind and we are making good progress. One problem on board is the cooking, we have no gas! We are living off cold rations and biltong. We expect to finish around midnight on Tuesday, just before crewman Frank Gerber's birthday. His mother runs the King and Queen pub in Hamble and has promised us some steak sandwiches, which is a real incentive to keep the boat speed up!" To win overall Tonnerre must finish by 0154 on Wednesday so it will be a close cut thing.
Video - Groupama win
Written by Louay Habib Monday, 30 August 2010 06:50
Teléfonica Azul take second place
Written by Louay Habib Sunday, 29 August 2010 18:06
Afternoon Race Report - Sunday 29th August
Teléfonica Azul Take 2nd Place
Sunday 29 August 16:38:09 - Volvo Open 70 Teléfonica Azul crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron Line to claim second place in the 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. Teléfonica Azul finished the race well inside the old record. They started the race like a bat out of hell, screaming down the Solent at over 25 knots, but a rigging problem meant that they were overtaken by Groupama and they never managed to catch them. Teléfonica Azul crewman, Neal McDonald, describes the turning point in the race:
"The low point was having a fitting break at the top of Scotland that prevented us using our heavy weather jib for 10 hours. This allowed Groupama to get from 20 miles behind to 30 miles in front – heart breaking from a racing point of view but the sort of price you pay in these type of racing boats when things break. When the failure occurred it was pitch black (as it always is when things go wrong!) and blowing 35 knots in a horrific seaway. But after that, it was fantastic sailing in flat water, something I’ve never experienced before around Scotland. The fastest part was just off the back of the Isle of Wight and these boats are great to sail, they’re just a big skiff. The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland was a really fantastic race."
Top Gun on final approach
Written by Louay Habib Sunday, 29 August 2010 08:00
Morning Race Update - Sunday 29 August
At 0800 BST, Volvo Open 70, Groupama, skippered by Jules Verne record holder, Franck Cammas, was just 40 miles from the finish of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Speeding towards a victorious celebration in Cowes, Groupama are expected to take the gun and the course record in just a few hours. During the night Groupama extended their lead over Teléfonica Azul and look almost certain to win this epic race.
By satellite phone, Iker Martínez, Skipper of Teléfonica Azul, commented that they are unlikely to catch their rivals but he was still up beat.
"We're near the end and we are suffering, watching Groupama eludes us and there is not much we can do. But we are pleased that we have been able to draw many conclusions that are very important for the future. We have paid a little for not having prepared specifically for this race. These last few months, we have dedicated all our efforts into the future and we are sure we will be rewarded. We have learnt through this experience to have well defined goals and fight for them."
Heading Home
Written by Louay Habib Saturday, 28 August 2010 14:33
Afternoon Race Update - Saturday 28 August
By sunset tonight all of the competitors racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race will have rounded Muckle Flugga. For many of them it has been a long hard slog up the North Sea.
The leaders are literally at the other end of the course. At 1200 BST, Volvo Open 70, Groupama is just 65 miles from the Scilly Isles. They have chosen a course north of the rhumb line, presumably to take advantage of any new breeze that may emanate from the Bristol Channel. Teléfonica has gybed south and it is anticipated that Groupama will cover them. Groupama have 290 miles to go to the finish of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race; Teléfonica are 20 miles behind. Both are expected to finish in Cowes by Sunday afternoon. Obviously this estimated time of arrival will be dependent on the wind strength.
Record for the Taking
Written by Louay Habib Saturday, 28 August 2010 08:20
Morning Race Report - Saturday, 28 August
At 0700 BST on Day Six of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, Groupama were 335 miles from the finish. Unless there is a complete shut down in the wind, the course record is about to be smashed. The winner needs to cross the Royal Yacht Squadron Line by 01:31 on Monday 30th August*. The current estimated time of arrival is in the early hours of Sunday morning, nearly 24 hours inside the record. It is highly likely that a new record holder will be declared, but who that will be is very much undecided.
Last night, Groupama and Teléfonica Azul made short work of the west coast of Irelandp, hurtling along the rugged coastline at full speed. Groupama gybed east just before midnight, to cross the Irish Sea. Teléfonica were even quicker than their opponents and hour by hour, they were reeling in Groupama. As they turned east, the two Volvo Open 70s were less than seven miles apart, hugging the shore to play the wind shifts and current. You can be sure neither of the navigators on board got any sleep last night; the area is notorious for rocks and shipwrecks. Groupama have held the lead and for now, it looks like it could be a drag race across the Irish Sea. But the race for line honours and a course record is still on, as Teléfonica skipper, Iker Martinez, explains via satellite:
"Team Teléfonica are all in good shape. Nobody has any problems and we have physically recovered from the beating of the early days. Now, with little swell, we are all able to sleep and we are ready to face the end of the race and there is a lot of racing left: many manoeuvres, strong current and finally entering the Solent. The race could be decided there with boat speed and handling."
Teléfonica put the hammer down...
Written by Louay Habib Friday, 27 August 2010 14:13
Afternoon Race Update - Friday, 27 August
At 13:00 BST, Iker Martinez's Teléfonica Azul were in hot pursuit of their prey, Franck Cammas' Groupama. The Spanish Open Volvo 70 has shifted up a gear and is currently surfing down the west of Ireland, quicker than their French rivals, blasting along at up to 20 knots of boat speed. Groupama still lead the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, but the gap has shrunk to 18 miles. The forecast going into tonight is for some big breeze to arrive on the west coast of Ireland. A perfect wind angle for the two speed machines to cut loose and hit top speed. With just over 500 miles to go, the winner of this duel is highly likely to break the race record. Groupama are looking like the favourites.
Jonny Malbon's IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing finally got into the breeze and they are surfing down the west coast of Ireland at some pace. There will be some high spirits on the British Keelboat Academy's TP52, John Merricks II. The young guns have been averaging over 15 knots for the past two hours, speeding down Atlantic rollers in excess of 20 knots and are now three miles ahead of arch rival Tonnerre de Breskens, Piet Vroon's Ker 46. But the Dutch boat still holds the overall lead under IRC.
Beautiful Dawn
Written by Louay Habib Friday, 27 August 2010 08:35
Morning Race Update - Friday 27 August
At sunrise on the fifth day of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, half the fleet had rounded Muckle Flugga and finally came off the wind. The North Atlantic will be colder, but the biggest change will be the sea state and wind angle. Long rolling waves, up to 200 metres long, will create a corkscrew motion as the yachts slide down the front of the waves. Many of the yachts will be able to carry spinnakers for the first time since the start of this epic race. Life on board will be a great deal more comfortable than beating up the North Sea.
Groupama lead the way and are heading for the remote Inishkea Islands, off the northwest coast of Ireland. 35 miles behind, Teléfonica Azul lead the chase. The Volvo Open 70s are averaging 15 knots, faster than the wind. The canting keel, high-tech hull shape and asymmetric design of the sails make these yachts the fastest ocean-going monohulls ever built. There are complex weather and tidal issues ahead and the navigators on board will be downloading high-resolution weather data to calculate the best route to take.
"This morning we are just two miles from St. Kilda. In racing terms, it is a bit frustrating at the moment," commented Jonny Malbon by satellite phone from the IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing. "There is very little wind at the moment and we can see the 70s up ahead via the race tracker. They are in breeze and the boats behind us also have good speed. We just want to get going again. However, racing apart, this is a beautiful part of the world. The water is incredibly clean and bright blue and we had a fantastic sail to here from Muckle Flugga. I can see St. Kilda in front of us with not a soul on it and it looks like something out of Jurassic Park. There are a large number of sea birds circling around us and the cliffs of St. Kilda, it is just such an incredible place."
Lonely Out in Space
Written by Louay Habib Thursday, 26 August 2010 14:49
Afternoon Race Update - Thursday, 26 August
At 14:00 BST the vast majority of the fleet were in the remotest corner of the North Sea, hundreds of miles from any city and well offshore. The barren coastline of northeast Scotland was the nearest landfall. In essence, they were very much out on their own.
Race leader Groupama had managed to struggle past the light winds around the Isle of Lewis and into fresher north easterly breeze. Getting to the breeze first means that they have opened up an 18 mile lead on rivals Telefónica Azul.
Looking at weather further up the track, the wind speed is due to increase in strength, to as much as 25 knots. Soon enough, the two Volvo Open 70s in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race will be launched like guided missiles, speeding down the west coast of Ireland
Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens has regained the overall lead under IRC from Jonny Malbon's IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, which led on handicap overnight. At 14:00 BST, Tonnerre was 27 miles south of Muckle Flugga and is due to round the most northern part of the course at 17:00. The easterly move by the TP52 John Merricks II has failed to pay dividends and they have dropped to sixth overall. This is another boat that revels in downwind surfing conditions and could easily make up the lost time to move up the leaderboard.
Cat and Mouse to St Kilda
Written by Louay Habib Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:53
Morning Race Update - Thursday 26 August
At 07:00 this morning, Groupama were bound for St. Kilda with Telefónica Azul closing the gap behind them. Groupama are still out in front on Day Four of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, but overnight the wind speed dropped from 15 knots to just a zephyr of wind. Groupama are now barely moving forward but Telefónica Azul is a weapon in light airs and they are clawing back the miles. Although conditions on board are now calm, concentration levels need to be maintained. After the physical exertion of the last three days, it is now mental strength that becomes paramount, keeping alert when every part of your being is willing you to sleep is just as grueling.
Jonny Malbon's IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, has been getting the tactics spot on and they are currently leading the fleet overall on handicap. Behind them the Lithuanian crew on Volvo 60, Ambersail are on a final approach to Muckle Flugga, but the lighter wind may not suit the boat. There is a fascinating battle between Piet Vroon's Dutch Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens and the British Keelboat Academy's TP52, John Merricks II. The young crew from the academy took a bold move to the east yesterday, in search of more wind and they found it, but the price they have had to pay is to sail more miles. John Merricks II may well round Muckle Flugga before their Dutch rivals and the high performance, lighter TP52, could well slip away in the lighter breeze ahead.
The Shetland Islands in their wake
Written by Louay Habib Wednesday, 25 August 2010 21:01
It was today at 1300 hours UTC, that Groupama 70 rounded the North of the Shetland Islands with a good lead over her direct rival, Telefonica. Jean-Luc Nélias, Groupama Team's navigator, gives us the low-down on the first 48 hours of racing around the British Isles as well as the next stage of the course.
"We were counting on the Sevenstar as a means to compare the performances of Groupama 70 with those of another VOR 70. Unfortunately we've hardly done any contact sailing since we left Cowes. It's still a very interesting experience nonetheless, because we've got a lot to learn about our own boat as regards the manoeuvring, the organisation of watches, the sail selection and finally the handling of information between the skipper, the navigator and the watch leaders. We're learning a massive amount about ourselves. With a bit of luck, we'll be more in contact with each other in the second part of the race."
Round the ragged rock
Written by Louay Habib Wednesday, 25 August 2010 15:25
Afternoon Race Report - Wednesday, 24th August
Almost exactly two days into the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, Franck Cammas' Volvo Open 70, Groupama, was the first yacht to round Muckle Flugga at 1400 BST. They are now heading southwest at a speed of over 17 knots with their 19-mile lead rapidly increasing over their rivals Telefonica Azul, who are still beating up to Muckle Flugga.
Jonny Malbon's IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, has 77 miles to go to reach the top of the course and will round the remote island alone, as they have been for much of this race. On board is Olympic 49er medallist, Simon Hiscocks who is very much at home racing a 49er or an extreme 40, but offshore racing is a very new concept to him. (See Simon's video blog here)
Artemis Ocean Racing is going well and 48 hours into the race they are second overall under IRC behind Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens. Early leaders on handicap, the British Keelboat Academy's TP52, John Merricks II, are now third overall but sailing further offshore and look to be getting into more breeze.
Dogfight for Muckle Flugga
Written by Louay Habib Wednesday, 25 August 2010 09:35
Morning Race Report - Wednesday 25th August
Groupama have taken pole position in the race to be the first boat to finish in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race and overtaken Telefonica Azul as they approach Muckle Flugga, the most northern point of Great Britain. Yesterday afternoon the wind softened and headed the two Volvo 70’s and Groupama took a hitch to the West which initially seemed like wasted miles but has proved decisive over the last 8 hours with more breeze to the West. Yann Riou on board Groupama explains:
"Yesterday we decided to go further inshore and we went onto starboard tack for about an hour and it looks like it was a good move and Team Groupama are delighted to hear that we are now ahead of our rivals. It was a tough night and it has been a hard race. Especially as we have had many sail changes, so we have had very little sleep but the crew are all in good spirits.
We are now just 25 miles from Muckle Flugga and about ten miles off the Scottish coast, we are looking forward to getting around the most northern point on the course and heading back down and we are delighted to be in the lead."
The two carbon fibre speed machines are now locked into a duel to reach the most northern part of the course with the boats 15 miles apart as they converge on Muckle Flugga, north of Unst in the Shetland Islands, which is further north of the equator than Cape Horn is south. The wind speed is still 20 knots, gusting up to 25 but the wind direction is now a chilly northwesterly, too shy for a spinnaker. However, the Volvo Open 70s are romping through the waves, at speeds of up to 15 knots.
There is also a new overall leader under IRC, Piet Vroon's Dutch Ker 46,Tonnerre de Breskens, taking the lead on corrected time shortly before midnight. Tonnerre de Breskens was designed for this sort of race and will have enjoyed the new change of wind direction, far more than the TP52, John Merricks II, which is now in second place overall under IRC.
High Road to Scotland
Written by Louay Habib Tuesday, 24 August 2010 14:55
Afternoon Race Report - 24/08/2010
The Volvo Open 70, Telefonica Azul, is scorching along at a blistering speed. After the first 24 hours of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, the Spanish yacht has covered 440 miles of the 1,800 mile course.
Hurtling along behind them is Groupama and they are pushing hard. If anything the wind speed is due to increase during the night. The crews on board will be soaking wet and beginning to feel the effects of fatigue. Food will only be fuel and boat speed will be their primary concern.
To put this amazing 24 hour run into context, the two rocket ships are now north of Edinburgh, and could well be north of mainland Scotland by tomorrow morning!
Several hours behind the two front runners, Jonny Malbon and his crew on IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, are reveling in the fast reaching conditions. (You can watch video from on board, in the Competitor Blogs)
Morning Race Report - Tuesday 24th August
Written by Louay Habib Tuesday, 24 August 2010 09:06
After yesterday's dramatic start, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is well under way. At 0800 this morning, all of the yachts racing had passed through the Straits of Dover and turned northwards into a westerly breeze of 15-20 knots, giving them a fast sleigh-ride up the Suffolk coast. This morning, there was the added luxury of clear skies and bright sunshine, in contrast to the wet and wild start. No doubt the hundreds of competitors in this epic challenge will be taking the opportunity to dry out wet weather gear this morning.
News in from ICAP Leopard is that the goose-neck fitting, attaching the boom to the mast, was the reason for their retirement.
"After a great fast start and only two hours into the race, we were obviously bitterly disappointed in not being able to continue in this fantastic race. The boom failure left us with no option but to retire, everything is now in order and we are making our way back to Southampton." Message from ICAP Leopard received: 17:30 Monday 23.08.10
Born to be Wild
Written by Louay Habib Monday, 23 August 2010 16:03
The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race exploded into action at 1400 local time under grey leaden skies and big breeze. ICAP Leopard and Telefónica Azul chose to set off from the outer distance mark, and it was a hair-raising sight as RORC Chief Executive, Eddie Warden Owen reports from the race course:
"It was a magnificent start, 25 knots from the southwest with gusts of up to 30 knots coming out of the Medina River, Spanish entry Telefónica was an impressive sight, the Volvo 70 is built to race at full tilt around the world and she carried her enormous spinnaker to blast past the 100 foot Leopard at over 25 knots. It was a really impressive sight to these huge machines blasting down the Solent leaving the rest of the 27-strong fleet in their wake."
The IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing chose to start on the Island side and spectators on shore had an incredible view of the powerful boat surfing past Cowes.
Tonnerre de Breskens 3 from
Preview - 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland
Written by Louay Habib Monday, 23 August 2010 11:50
Spectacular downwind start expected
Written by Louay Habib Monday, 23 August 2010 09:32
"The new route avoids a huge amount of heavy upwind work," commented ICAP Leopard navigator, Hugh Agnew. "From a navigator's point of view, going anti-clockwise means that we will go through a difficult part of the course fresh, rather than tired. On the east coast of England, there are some tricky shallow areas, especially around Yarmouth and Lowestoft and the Traffic Separation Zones create large areas that we are not allowed to enter.
It looks as though we will be experiencing windy conditions for the first four days which would mean a very rapid start but it really isn't prudent to suggest a finish time; a high pressure system that should develop over the latter part of the course, may well slow our progress."
ICAP Leopard are the favourite to take line-honours but they have some serious 'virtual competition'. Over 17,000 people are playing the on-line virtual race. Armchair Admirals get to race their own 100ft Maxi in the virtual race with real weather scenarios. To enter go to the Virtual Race Website.
Whilst the virtual skippers will be able to carry on as normal, the real Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is a non-stop and unassisted race. This morning crews were preparing for the off. For many, breakfast this morning will be the last meal ashore for quite a while.
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