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.

Luca Zoccoli is the skipper of the Italian two-handed entry, In Direzione Ostinata E Contraria. "Although there are two on board, we sail like it is solo-racing. While one is working the other is sleeping. This morning we will enjoy some coffee and chocolate pastries but I do not have a big kitchen on the boat, so no pasta! Rice and paté will be a regular meal."

Simonas Steponaavicius and his all Lithuanian crew on VO60, Ambersail, will be tucking into a full English breakfast in Cowes, before breaking into the freeze-dried rations, supplemented by Lithuanian chocolate and sweets. To give themselves a bit of home-from-home.

There should be a fantastic spectacle in the Solent this afternoon with the yachts fully arced up. This morning, a stiff westerly breeze gusting over 20 knots is expected to build by the afternoon and with wind over tide, surfing conditions are expected for the start of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.