Image: Jacopo Bracco’s Banuls 53 Finn (USA) © Sailing Energy/Calero Marinas
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the International Maxi Association & Yacht Club de France
On Day 10 of the RORC Transatlantic Race, 15 teams continue their race to the finish line in Grenada. Kosobucki and Grzegorz Grabowski’s JV44 Fujimo (POL) reached the halfway mark today, meaning every team in the race has now passed this significant milestone.
Bryon Ehrhart’s Lucky (USA) and Christian Zugel’s Tschüss 2 (USA) are already safely docked at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina. Earlier today, Lucky’s record-setting performance and victory in the IMA Transatlantic Trophy were celebrated with the presentation of the Monohull Line Honours Trophy by IMA Secretary General Andrew McIrvine.
“The International Maxi Association has supported the RORC Transatlantic Race since its inception,” said McIrvine. “This race is the perfect gateway for boats heading to the Caribbean to compete in the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, the RORC Caribbean 600, and the IMA Caribbean Series.”
Check out the latest RORC Instagram post for great on board footage and dockside interviews with Bryon Ehrhart and Joca Signorini - Lucky (USA) on breaking the monohull race record!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFGWQmNuCeZ/
IRC Zero
Tschüss 2 claimed victory after time correction, surpassing Lucky by a significant margin. Volvo 65 Sisi (AUT) skippered by Oliver Kobale is under 400 miles from the finish, but Sisi cannot better the corrected time set by Tschüss 2 or Lucky.
IRC Overall
Tschüss 2 currently leads the IRC overall standings after time correction. In second place is James Neville’s Ino Noir (GBR); his Carkeek 45 is racing in IRC One and still over 400 miles from the finish. Class 40 Tquila (GBR) leads both IRC Two and the Class40 division with 700 miles to go.
Multihull Class
The battle for Multihull Line Honours is intense between Oren Nataf’s Pulsar50 Rayon Vert (FRA) and Jacopo Bracco’s Banuls 53 Finn (USA). The two boats have been swapping leads as they make good speed to the finish.
“We split tacks today and it’s a full-on race for the line,” commented Finn’s Bracco. “Conditions are becoming squally and the rising winds might favour us. Despite some sail damage this has been an extraordinary experience - days of open ocean paired with such an exciting race. It’s just fantastic to be out here.”
Michael Wahlroos, navigator aboard Jouko Kallio’s Swan 651 Spirit of Helsinki (FIN), racing in IRC Two, reported ongoing repairs to their A2 spinnaker after damage from a squall.
“You can probably hear the whirl of the sewing machine as we work to get the sail back in action,” said Wahlroos.
Jouko Kallio added: “The lighter winds mean we really need that A2 to boost our speed and overtake nearby competitors like Haspa Hamburg and the catamaran Dakota. Last night brought a perfect opportunity for some fishing - we caught a 16kg Wahoo, which was a delightful surprise. Now, we aim to catch the competition!”