DOCSLIB.ORG

We Did the Fastnet 2009!

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
We Did the Fastnet 2009! We did the Fastnet 2009! My fi rst experience of the Fastnet was the 2007 edition on a brand-new Class40 – Merena. For the fi rst time in its history, the famous RORC had decided to postpone the start by 24 hours due to forecasted stormy weather! After the 1st night, we abandoned for fear of damage to the boat or injury to the crew. Out of 300 boats entered, only 60 fi nished the race that year! But I promised myself I’d be back, a promise I kept at the Rolex Fastnet 2009. Organised since 1925 by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Fastnet Race owes its renown both to its long history and the some- times extreme and challenging weather conditions with which the competitors have to contend. The tragic 1979 edition sadly remains the ocean race with the highest death toll in history, 15 sailors having lost their lives amid one of the dreadful storms that the Irish Sea sometimes reserves for those who dare defy it … This year’s race marked the 30th anniversary of that tragic event. The race’s start was at Cowes (Isle of Wight), that Mecca of British sailing. Once out of the Solent, the 302 vessels had to hug the south coast of Cornwall before pointing their bows towards Fastnet Lighthouse (southern tip of Ireland). On the return route, they had to leave the Scilly Isles to port before crossing the fi nish line at Plymouth, giving a course of some 608 nautical miles, or 1,126 Km! Held every two years, this classic crewed event attracts the most prestigious racing teams from around the world, led by the most famous skippers and most accomplished crew members on the in- ternational scene. This year was no exception and the maxi-cata- marans Ran, Luna Rossa, Leopard, Rosebud, etc. had their work cut out against the 60-foot Imocas returning from the Vendée Globe (Barhein Team Pindar, Safran, Hugo Boss, Aviva, Artemis, Toe in the Water, BT, etc.) in order to clinch "Line Honours" (real-time victory). A host of IRC cruisers/racers also set out in search of a win in ad- justed time or in their category. One of them was ourselves, in the IRC Zero class (IRC 0)! We set out scarcely 30 days after acquiring our fi ne sky-blue Open 45 yacht, newly named Flicka45 and with an impressive list of honours in this long-distance race under her previous guises of Biotonic and Hallucine! So it was a massive challenge in more than one sense, as apart from 2 short Sunday forays to take some air and try out our new bird, we had barely had any time at the boat’s helm! And what a boat she is, having been guided to victory in 2000 by Jean-Marie Arthaud, her designer & builder, in the OSTAR, the Original Ocean Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race, famed since Eric Tabarly’s double victory in 1963 and 1976. She was also a Class III winner in the 2002 Route du Rhum and again in her category in the 2003 Transat Jacques Vabre, not to mention numerous races won in the Antilles by Régis Guillemot, her ex-owner and distin- guished skipper. Having been assembled at the last minute, the crew didn’t know each other or the boat either… Apart from one of their number, Bruno, who had brought Hallucine back from Port du Marin in Mar- tinique to Nieuwpoort in June, two-up with Julien. This 7,300-mile route was covered in 27 days! For this legendary Fastnet, there were six of use on board; Alain, Bruno, David, Hugues, Koen and myself. All of us had varied nauti- cal backgrounds and no real sailing experience together. A Belgian- style motley crew if ever there was one! The boat was delivered from Nieuport to Cowes by Bruno and Olivier, our loyal preparer. Fastnet Rock Plymouth Cowes Isles of Scilly A few hours from the start, which was This Fastnet 2009 will go down in the scheduled for 1pm on Sunday 9 August, event’s history as a particularly windless race. over 3,000 crew members completed the From the fi rst day to the last, the patchy wind fi nal preparations for one of the most legen- made it impossible to display good averages. dary ocean races in the world. The pontoons It was due to these still conditions that we The rest of the learning curve remains long were jam-packed and the local ship chandlers lost our sense of tactics. Yacht parked, wait and steep, but we did at least manage to were doing a roaring trade, not to mention for wind. Then dead again, followed by a few tack at over 19 knots, face an Irish Sea in the the famous English pubs, where the beer gusts of wind, then nothing again. And so the Scottish fog without even catching sight of was fl owing freely. We endeavoured to fi nish cycle went on and on. Fastnet rock, and to fi nish our Fastnet with the preparations for our departure and then nothing broken and no one injured! We are came the compulsory safety check! Every boat Patience is an art frequently demanded all satisfi ed with the way we handled real con- taking part in the Fastnet is required to provide of sailors. The waiting game can be long, ditions and are optimistic about improving our a good number of administrative documents very long, and the real diffi culty consists of performance over coming seasons. and proof of experience. The rules have to be keeping a permanent eye on the wind speeds adhered to closely, or there’s no point turning while at the same time trying to organise this In fact, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, up at the starting line. I’m glad to say that we forced free time. We took advantage of it to organisers of the biennial British 608-mile passed the test! clean and tidy our mess room, the kitchen classic offshore race, confi rmed that Niklas and bathroom facilities. In all, we sorted out 6 Zennström's Ran 2 is the overall handicap After a Saturday packed with preparations fi fty-litre sacks of rubbish, which gives you an winner of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race. and encounters with some really nice crews idea of the length of these successive waits! from various countries, our team went to fi ll If you’re tempted by the adventure of our bellies in a well-know gastro-pub near But at least this calm weather gave us a sailing, even if you’ve never done it before, Gosport, ahead of the departure the follow- chance to get our PC working perfectly and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. ing day. At this stage, our computer was still then to fi ne-tune our route to suit the ele- on the blink and we faced a long night trying ments. The built-in computer and electronic From basic lessons allowing you to take to get this cursed PC going! The weather fore- systems on today’s yachts make it possible a hired yacht out to sea, by way of holidays casts promised very calm conditions, too calm to optimise one’s route, course and speed in in the Caribbean, Antilles or Mediterranean, compared to previous editions... In sailing a highly professional fashion and almost as right up to perfecting the skills required for jargon, it’s known as the “Harry Flatters”... simply as with car or pedestrian GPS systems. becoming an offshore racing skipper, we offer a range of packages that will enable you to The start was over very quickly. After having After rounding the infamous rock, our realise your dream or your desire for discov- passed a compulsory safety gate storm sails return towards Plymouth offered a chance to ery...comfortably! up and all wearing automatic life jackets, we hoist the running sail and above all to have crossed the starting line in the same breath… some fun. In watches of 2, we took turns at JP Smal Our fi rst leg was under spinnaker, the large the helm in order to build up an downwind sail. Then came our fi rst gybes and impressive head of speed. This howlers! The engine was teaching us to coax long tack enabled us to overtake it gently, given the lack of wind. The whole a good number of rivals and at Solent was full of boats, in front, alongside least brought us a degree of sat- and behind us. Wherever you cared to cast isfaction. After over 125 hours your eye, there was nothing but yachts. Our non-stop sailing and having ex- poor start was quickly compensated for our hausted our supplies, we fi nally boat’s excellent speed… but all classes were arrived in Plymouth, delighted to lumped together so it was impossible to get a have completed the race. real idea of our position in the ranking. When all’s said and done, the On the very fi rst night, the wind stopped… “Harry Flatters” did allow us to and so did we. learn to control our boat better. DW ▪ 67 For more information; Offshore 45 [email protected] www.offshore45.com Special thanks; http://fastnet.rorc.org/.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Near-Synoptic Survey of Ocean Microplastic Concentration Along an Around-The-World Sailing Race
    PLOS ONE RESEARCH ARTICLE A near-synoptic survey of ocean microplastic concentration along an around-the-world sailing race 1☯ 1,2,3☯ 1,4 Toste TanhuaID *, SoÈ ren B. Gutekunst , Arne Biastoch 1 GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany, 2 The Ocean Race, Alicante, Spain, 3 SCG Science Consulting±Dr.-Ing, Gutekunst, Koblenz, Germany, 4 Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. a1111111111 * [email protected] a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 Litter and plastic pollution in the marine environment is of major concern when considering the health of ocean ecosystems, and have become an important focus of ocean research during recent years. There is still significant uncertainty surrounding the distribution and impact of marine plastic litter on ocean ecosystems, and in particular on the nano- and OPEN ACCESS microplastic fractions that are difficult to observe and may be harmful to marine organisms. Citation: Tanhua T, Gutekunst SB, Biastoch A (2020) A near-synoptic survey of ocean Current estimates of ocean plastic concentrations only account for a small fraction of the microplastic concentration along an around-the- approximated 8 million tons of plastic litter entering the oceans on an annual basis. Here, we world sailing race. PLoS ONE 15(12): e0243203. present the distribution of 100±500 μm microplastic particles within the ocean mixed layer, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243203 covering a significant fraction of the ocean, in a near-synoptic survey. During The Ocean Editor: Erik V. Thuesen, Evergreen State College, Race 2017/2018 edition (formerly known as Volvo Ocean Race), two yachts served as UNITED STATES ships of opportunity that regularly took samples of microplastics on a regular schedule dur- Received: December 4, 2019 ing their circumnavigation.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Summary
    2019 SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION Dive under the surface of the professional sports team’s actions for positive impact in the build up towards The Ocean Race 2022-23. 11TH HOUR RACING TEAM 2019 SUSTAINABILITY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11TH HOUR RACING TEAM Our mission is to win The Ocean Race 2022-23 with sustain- The team’s Sustainability Program contributes towards the achieve- ability at the core of all team operations, inspiring positive ment of 13 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the nine IS A PROFESSIONAL action amongst the sailing and coastal communities, and objectives of the World Sailing Agenda 2030 and the five principles with global sports fans to create long-lasting change for of the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework. OFFSHORE SAILING TEAM, ocean health. We will accelerate change by combining sporting excellence in sailing, ocean advocacy, and sustain- BASED OUT OF NEWPORT, able innovation. RHODE ISLAND, USA. The initial Team management structure was created in February 2019. The first year of the campaign has been focused on building EXPLORE THE HIGHLIGHTS a team, engaging our key stakeholders, and putting sustainability plans and operational strategies in place which will guide our plans OF THE TEAM’S FIRST for the next three years of the campaign. SUSTAINABILITY REPORT. To create the 11th Hour Racing Team sustainability strategy, we established an internal Sustainability Department featuring a three- person team that consists of a Sustainability Program Manager, Read the full report here. Sustainability Officer and Sustainability Intern. The challenge now for the Team is to find scalable solutions within The sustainability team’s ongoing work also includes a transfer of the marine and sporting industries.
    [Show full text]
  • Coup D'envoi De La Saison Course Au Large À Lorient – La Base
    Communiqué de presse 14 avril 2021 Coup d’envoi de la saison course au large à Lorient – La Base Ce printemps 2021 marque le retour de la ville de Lorient dans l’événementiel de la course au large. Pas moins de 5 événements seront accueillis cette année dans la ville aux 5 ports. Le premier d’entre eux, la Plastimo Lorient Mini 6.50, se tient cette semaine à huis clos, mais avec 130 coureurs au départ !... Parce qu’au cœur de la Sailing Valley, comme ailleurs sur la planète course au large, tout commence par le Mini. Ce jeudi 15 avril, à 17h, les 65 duos de la Plastimo Lorient Mini 6.50 s’élanceront sur une boucle de 250 milles (environ 460 km) vers Penmarc’h, l’ile d’Yeu et retour à Lorient – La Base... Le Mini, un circuit initiatique La majorité des skippers engagés sur cette Plastimo Lorient Mini 6,50 se prépare à ce qui sera leur toute première course transatlantique, la « Mini Transat » (une traversée de l’Atlantique en solitaire sur un bateau de 6,50 m, sans assistance) dont le coup d’envoi sera donné cet automne. Pour tous, ce défi engagé qui fait parfois basculer leur vie. C’est là tout le piment de ce circuit « Mini » qui a vu naitre tant de . Lorient – La Base, un site unique au monde grands noms de la voile (Loïc Peyron, Michel Desjoyeaux, Isabelle . A l’origine était le Mini Autissier, Thomas Coville, Thomas Ruyant, Yannick Bestaven, . Rendez-vous le mois prochain pour notamment...). l’Ocean Race Europe Lorient est particulièrement prisée des « ministes » : une cinquantaine de coureurs s’y entraine à l’année et le siège de leur classe y est installé (à l’instar de ceux des classes IMOCA et Figaro Bénéteau*).
    [Show full text]
  • Learn More About Sustainability at the Ocean Race Stopover In
    SUSTAINABILITY AT THE OCEAN RACE STOPOVER IN AARHUS September 2020 edition. AMBITION THE STOPOVER IN AARHUS AIMS TO BE THE GREENEST AND MOST SUSTAINABLE STOPOVER IN THE 2022/2023 EDITION OF THE RACE The sustainable profile will be a predominant element of the coming edition of The Ocean Race. Hence, sustain- ability will be a central theme running like a red thread through the Stopover in Aarhus in 2023. With this focus on sustainability, common to all the boats is that during the full 9 months of the race, they will focus the world’s attention on issues of sustainability and climate change mitigation, and this focus must be leveraged in Aarhus in relation to both visitors, participants, and the business community. Supported by The Ocean Races’ specialised sustainability team, experienced local and regional players, and national partners, Aarhus Events will head the overall planning of the event and the development of a completely natural sustainability focus which builds on the initiatives of the 2018 Sailing World Championships and The Tall Ships Races 2019. The initiatives will have both an international/strategic and a local/tangible dimension and will be closely linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. During the Aarhus Stopover, the focus on sustainability will address a number of different aspects. As a com- pletely natural feature, the principle of Fundamental Sustainability will be a recurring element throughout the event area, evident in a variety of solutions and initiatives such as waste separation, organics, renewable energy, focus on plastic, and much more. During the event, participants, visitors, citizens, etc., can experience sustainable solutions on Sustainability Island, where innovative exhibitors and entrepreneurs will showcase their solutions towards a more sustainable world.
    [Show full text]
  • OCEAN RACE SUMMITS #2 the HAGUE REPORT “SDG14 Is the Universally Agreed Goal “The Future of Our Seas Could After the Humanity Has
    THE OCEAN RACE SUMMITS #2 THE HAGUE REPORT “SDG14 is the universally agreed goal “The future of our seas could after the humanity has. All of our Governments crisis be quickly forgotten if we go back have agreed to that, to conserve and to the same patterns as before. That is sustainably use the ocean’s resources. why we need to take advantage of the So we must stay faithful to implementing situation and do a concerted effort for that and as long as we’re doing that, I the oceans without delay. Therefore I think we’re on course for the targets am delighted to give my support to this as they mature in 2020. And that’s why excellent idea of The Ocean Race as I we’re putting so much emphasis on the believe this initiative is one that will help fact that momentum must be maintained. accelerate and facilitate change.” Tens of thousands of people are working on ocean action around the world, and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco it’s an opportunity to applaud them. But I think they would agree with me that Watch the interview here. we’ve got a really mixed bag in terms of meeting those targets. We need to work today for the ocean we want tomorrow.” Peter Thomson - United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean Watch the interview here. THE OCEAN RACE SUMMITS #2 THE OCEAN RACE SUMMITS #2 Engaging speakers, leaders and experts THE OCEAN shared their solutions and winning strategies to restore ocean health during The Ocean Liz Bonnin RACE Race Summits #2 that was streamed live SUMMITS #2 from The Hague on May 27, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • Women in Sailing Strategic Review World Sailing Trust
    Women in Sailing Strategic Review December 2019 World Sailing Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (registered charity number 1182203) 1 I World Sailing Trust - Women in Sailing Strategic Review Gender equality is the responsibility of all people UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, Sept 2014 2 I World Sailing Trust - Women in Sailing Strategic Review Contents 1. Foreword 4 6. The Wider Playing Field 39 • Dee Caffari 5 • Learning from other sports 40 • Andrew Pindar 6 • Global best practice 41 • The Value of Investing in Women’s Sport 45 2. The Case for Change 7 • Embracing best practice 46 • IOC Gender Equality Report 47 • Executive Summary 9 10 • Reflections from World Sailing 7. Recommendations 48 • Summary of Recommendations 11 • Influencing the Future: Creating change 49 3. World Sailing Trust 12 • Summary of Recommendations 50 1. Diversity and Inclusion Working Group 51 4. Scope and Approach 13 2. Gender Charter 52 • Survey Overview 14 3. Equality Policy 53 • Respondents at a Glance 15 4. Increasing participation and creating 54 • Looking to other sports 17 space to women to compete • Making Sailing future fit 18 5. Gender equality for officials 55 • Gender: Definition & Context 19 6. Gender Design project 56 7. Female coaching programme 57 5. Key Findings 20 8. Fast track leadership programme 58 9. Women’s mentoring programme 59 • Overview of trends 21 • Does Gender Discrimination exist? 22 8. Conclusion 60 • Experiences of Discrimination 25 • Discrimination across Classes 29 9. Thank you 62 • The Equal Olympics
    [Show full text]
  • The Newport Bermuda Race Race Description by Sheila Mccurdy
    The Newport Bermuda Race Race Description By Sheila McCurdy The Newport Bermuda Race is a 635-mile ocean race, most of it out of sight of land, usually lasting three to six days. It crosses a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean known for challenging weather, especially in the Gulf Stream, where there are strong currents. Every two years in mid-June, over 180 boats start from the historic seaport of Newport, Rhode Island. The fleet has five divisions to allow seaworthy boats of many sizes and types to be raced fairly and aggressively for an array of trophies awarded in Bermuda at an elegant ceremony at Government House, the residence of the governor of this tropical island. In keeping with the 100-year traditions of amateur sailors and strong family spirit, 90 % of the boats in 2006 had amateur crews comprised of friends and family members. The race maintains its international prestige through competitive fairness, an exemplary safety record, and a responsive race organization handled by the volunteer members of the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Sailors everywhere dream of adding the Newport Bermuda Race to their life list of adventures. Newport Bermuda 2008 The 2008 fleet – expected to be over 200 boats – will cross the startling line off Newport, Rhode Island on Friday, June 20. The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee (BROC) begins its work over a year beforehand to plan a first-class ocean race. The skippers also have much to do through the winter and spring before the start to prepare their boats.
    [Show full text]
  • Mediaguide Theoceanraceeurope 210525
    MEDIA GUIDE May – June 2021 MEDIA GUIDE 1 INDEX WHAT IS THE OCEAN RACE EUROPE? 3 WHO ARE THE TEAMS? 4 THE PROLOGUE 6 CREW LISTS 9 THE ROUTE 19 HOST CITIES 22 THE BOATS 29 CREW ROLES 32 CREW MEMBERS 34 RACING WITH PURPOSE 35 SCIENCE 35 THE OCEAN RACE SUMMITS EUROPE 36 CHAMPIONS FOR THE SEA 36 RELAY4NATURE 37 USEFUL INFORMATION 38 THE OCEAN RACE EUROPE PARTNERS 42 APPENDIX - GLOSSARY 47 Martin Keruzore - Mirpuri Fundation Racing Team © MEDIA GUIDE 2 The Ocean Race Europe is a new three-stage offshore sailing race for WHAT IS THE professional teams racing in two classes of high-performance ocean- OCEAN RACE going yachts: VO65 and IMOCA 60. The inaugural edition of the race will start from the French city Lorient EUROPE? at the end of May and finish in Genova, Italy in June, with stopovers in Cascais, Portugal and Alicante, Spain along the way. Racing in both the VO65 and IMOCA 60 classes is expected to be close and exciting with the overall winners in each fleet unlikely to be decided until the finish in Genova. The Ocean Race Europe is run by the organisers of The Ocean Race - a gruelling multi-stage around the world race which takes place every four years. The first around-the-world race was contested in 1973 and over the 13 editions of the event, The Ocean Race has become the pinnacle of professional fully crewed ocean racing. This year’s inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe leads off a ten-year calendar of racing activity that includes confirmed editions of the around-the-world race taking place on a four year cycle beginning in 2022-23.
    [Show full text]
  • W Ocean Racing, the First Dutch Entry in the Ocean Race
    W Ocean Racing, the First Dutch Entry in The Ocean Race Despite the uncertain times and Corona crisis we currently live in, the first Dutch entry for The Ocean Race is a fact! W Ocean Racing announced their participation and start of their campaign on the Dutch sailing platform Zeilhelden (Sailing Heroes). Both Managing Directors Nathalie Queré and Chris Nicholson talked with the hosts of Zeilhelden Update, Steffie Plomp and Klaas Wiersma, about the future of their project. (Chris Nicholson, Managing Director of W Ocean Racing, photocredits Zeilhelden) The boat is still branded with the Team AkzoNobel colors, but that will change when a new sponsor comes in. Nathalie Queré said to Zeilhelden: "We have a management agreement with AkzoNobel. This agreement is two-fold. 1. The management of the yacht and her usage, also for the next ocean race, independently of AkzoNobel involvement 2. A corporate sailing program for AkzoNobel customers. This program is still part of their “post- race” activation and not an indication of any future involvement in the race. A potential sponsorship for the next race is not on the agenda." Although, an uncertain and risky time for making plans, they are very busy with sponsoring, crew selection and the potential option of an IMOCA 60 in the next race. Regarding a -partly- Dutch crew, the managers of W Ocean Racing said: "When it comes to the future race crew, nothing has been decided yet. First and foremost, it will be about performance, but of course youngsters, female sailors and a mix of Dutch and international profiles will be considered as this reflects who we are and our values.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team
    PRESS KIT THE MIRPURI FOUNDATION RACING TEAM RACING FOR THE PLANET Mirpuri Foundation is “Racing For The Planet” to put Climate Change on the global agenda The Mirpuri Foundation believes that sailing is a sport that brings people closer to the sea. Through the Mirpuri Foundation “Turn the Tide on Plastic” campaign in the 2017-18 edition of the Race, the Mirpuri Foundation was part of a global movement against plastic pollution – and will now enter a team in the next edition of the event, focused on raising awareness and driving action on climate change. In recent years we have all watched as extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels have caused great hardship for millions of people around the world. We are told that if we do not take action on climate change, that our planet’s surface temperature could rise by three degrees, bringing as yet unquantifiable destruction and suffering to the people and animals that call Planet Earth their home. So that is why the Mirpuri Foundation will be “Racing For The Planet”. We need to #StopClimateChange United Nations states that Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Without drastic action today, adapting to these impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly. Greenhouse gases occur naturally and are essential to the survival of humans and millions of other living things, by keeping some of the sun’s warmth from reflecting back into space and making earth livable.
    [Show full text]
  • Breton Companies Involved in the Construction of Racing Boats, in Particular IMOCA
    BRETAGNE SAILING VALLEY® PLATFORM MEETING Breton companies involved in the construction of racing boats, in particular IMOCA. Contents Bretagne Sailing Valley®: Technological Innovation Laboratory ........................................................ p.3 Companies in Bretagne Sailing Valley ® .............................................................................................. p.5 Design, Structural Calculations ........................................................................................................... p.5 Composite Parts.................................................................................................................................. p.12 On-board Safety / Equipment ............................................................................................................ p.20 Sails and Rigging ................................................................................................................................. p.26 Digital at the Service of Performance ................................................................................................. p.30 Support and Training Organisations for Competitive Sailing in Brittany............................................ p.41 Bretagne Sailing Valley®: Technological Innovation Laboratory for Competitive Sailing It is no accident that the most talented sailors have come from the four corners of the world to the coasts of Brittany to prepare their future victories. The region offers two major assets: an ideal maritime environment and a
    [Show full text]
  • Busy Week of Activities Planned at Volvo Ocean Race Newport Race Village
    Over 40,000 have visited the Race Village in Fort Adams State Park BUSY WEEK OF ACTIVITIES PLANNED AT VOLVO OCEAN RACE NEWPORT RACE VILLAGE NEWPORT, RI (May 14, 2018) – The first week of the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover has attracted more than 40,000 visitors to the Race Village at Fort Adams State Park. Newport is hosting the only North American stopover of the global race for the second consecutive edition and in 2015 the stopover attracted more than 131,000 fans in total. The excitement at the Race Village was started on May 8 when the closest finish in the Race to date was recorded off of Fort Adams State Park. In the early morning hours, Spanish entry MAPFRE, the overall race leader, defeated Team Brunel of the Netherlands by just 61 seconds in what is the fifth closest finish in the 45-year history of the race. “Newport is a special stopover for the sailors because it is such a sailing-oriented town,” said Susan Maffei-Plowden, the director of the stopover. “Three years ago, the number of race fans floored the sailors with attention and knowledge of the sport. We’re off to a similar start this year and invite everyone to visit the Race Village. With so much going on, there’s something to capture everyone’s attention.” The week ahead has no shortage of activities planned. Admission to the Race Village and all exhibits is free to all ages. The Race Village is open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday.
    [Show full text]