2016 Atlantic Cup Leg 2 – Fleet headed to Portland for first time

by Julianna Barbieri - Manuka SEM on 4 Jun 2016 Leg two of the The Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing departed at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in a five to seven knot southeasterly for the 360 nautical mile race to Portland, Maine. Oakcliff was the first across the line, followed by Amhas, Eärendil and Talanta. After short-tacking out of NY Harbor, it was Tales who exited first, followed closely by Amhas and Toothface.

Approximately three hours after the start Eärendil suffered damage to their starboard rudder. Antoine Carpentier was able to recover the rudder and is working on repairing it. Eärendil has communicated it is their full intention to continue racing.

Teams will face light air conditions overnight tonight before a cold front moves across the Cape Cod waters Sunday into Monday, followed by a low pressure trough bringing with it 20-30 knots from the southeast. Currently routing is predicting for an early morning arrival on Monday, June 6th.

Spanish entry, #123-Tales II is currently in first place with 18 points, followed by Eärendil, Oakcliff, Amhas, Dragon, Talanta, Toothface, Pleiad and Privateer. The Atlantic Cup is scored on a high points system leaving 18 points up for grabs in this leg.

Hugh Piggin, Atlantic Cup Race Director
“Pretty exciting start, we had a lot of current coming down the east river pushing the boats towards the start line and only a little bit of wind to maneuver with. We had a couple of boats that were about as close as you can be to being over the line, but they weren’t so the pack of hit the line and then they were off. It really is a pretty good spectacle here, looking at New York City from the Brooklyn side with the boats in the middle, now we’re looking forward to a good leg and a good finish in Portland.'

Pablo Santurde, #123 - Tales II - Currently in first Place
'We always try to sail conservatively and I think we did that Leg 1. I think that's the key for these kinds of races: not to have big mistakes or troubles with sail changes. If you can do each maneuver proper you have done a lot, I think that's the important factor. For Leg 2 it looks like it's going to be a very light start, we'll be reaching in light to medium winds around Long Island and then from Cape Cod to Portland it could be 25-30 knots downwind. I've seen that Portland is an area with lots of shallow waters so if we arrive at night with strong wind it will be tough. I've also heard that there are a lot of lobster pots, so that's a hazard for sure.'

Micah Davis, #127 - Amhas II - Currently in fourth Place
Looks like it's going to be light to start so everyone's going to be trying to sneak around Long Island and we just gotta get around the corner because there's a big low pressure system coming again that's gonna blow hard. You don't want to be going upwind trying to get around the corner so everyone's going to be pushing hard in the light air in the first 12-48 hours. Then we're gonna turn around the corner and it's gonna be a quick race.' - Micah Davis, Amhas

Standings after Leg 1

*Pleiad Racing withdrew from Leg 2 due to an illness in Chad Corning's family. They will rejoin the race in Portland for the Inshore Series.

**Privateer Retired from the race during Leg 1.