Thanks to Suzanne and Alan Whitewood for this sailing news. Ed
Back in 2010 we stood on Trinity Wharf, Cowes waiting for the first boat home in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Five days before we had watched the fleet set off from Cowes and over the following days we tracked the fleet, watching some exciting manoeuvres and some first class racing all via the wonders of modern technology.
However it was the real thing when we got the call that the first boat home Groupama was heading towards Cowes to take line honours and it was a thrill to see the crew moor alongside and celebrate in traditional style.
Sevenstar return as sponsor
At the UK (Southampton) offices of Sevenstar, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) have just confirmed that the leading Dutch specialist yacht transport company, Sevenstar, have agreed to be title sponsor for the next Round Britain and Ireland Race. This 1,802 nautical mile non-stop race will start from Cowes on 10th August 2014.
Sevenstar sponsored the race in 2006 and 2010 when 30 yachts from nine different nations competed in a thrilling and world record breaking event.
Record breaking races
Three records were broken (in 2010) in what was a very memorable race, highlighted by the monohull record set by Franck Cammas’ French team aboard the Volvo 70 Groupama, completing the course in 5 days 21hrs 2mins and 55 seconds, breaking Dee Caffari’s 2009 record on Aviva by over half a day.
Richard Klabbers, Managing Director of Sevenstar who competed in the last two events and secured victory in IRC Two aboard Harry Heijst’s S&S 41, Winsome, explained the reason for their sponsorship:
“After beating upwind for 14 days non-stop in the now renowned 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, I am hooked on this event! We are very proud to be the title sponsor once again and feel that the determination and tenacity this endurance race demands from competitors is in line with what Sevenstar stands for as a Global leader in Yacht Transport. Together with what the RORC stands for in terms of values, traditions and reliability, we are certain to be the right partner for the race and the RORC. We also believe that this race is attractive to the serious offshore racer and we will see an impressive fleet at the start line in 2014.”
Significant prize
Sevenstar also announced a significant new incentive for competitors in the race – a prize for the first boat under IRC rating will receive a US$20,000 voucher for yacht transport to their selected destination in the world.
“As organisers, The Royal Ocean Racing Club is delighted to secure this long term partnership with Sevenstar Yacht Transport who has now supported the race for the last three events,” says RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen.
“I won’t forget the hair-raising sight as I watched the 2010 race explode into action under grey leaden skies and big breeze. It was a magnificent start, 25 knot winds from the southwest with gusts of up to 30 knots coming out of the Medina River. All the yachts made an impressive sight as they charged down the Solent! This race is much more challenging than an Atlantic crossing because the crews will face the vagaries of the tides and unpredictable weather; dodging oil rigs and container ships and constant sail changing as the course alters at each major headland.”
Diverse fleet take part
This race attracts a diverse fleet including multihull, IMOCA Open 60 and Class40, but the overall winner will be a yacht racing under the IRC rating system which is expected to attract top professional teams as well as seasoned RORC members and the less experienced offshore sailors.
Two Volvo Open 70s used the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race in 2010 as a trial before the start of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race. It was the first time the Volvo 70s Telefonica (ESP) and Groupama (FRA) had raced against each other.
In 2010 the last boat to finish the race was Adrian Lower’s Swan 44, Selene from the Royal Burnham Yacht Club which took two weeks to complete the course compared with only six days for the biggest boats.
Twice as long in a boat half the size, what a feat; the very essence of Corinthian RORC racing!
