Atlantic Cup Leg 2 – Thrilling finish for GryphonSolo2

by Joe Harris on 22 May 2012 Atlantic Cup 2012, presented by 11th Hour Racing, second leg of the three stage race has concluded. Joe Harris onboard GryphonSolo2 provides a progress update:

It was a thrilling finish to leg 2 of the Atlantic Cup. As we rounded the turning mark off the New Jersey shore we were fairly deep in the pack and not looking forward to a 200 mile dead beat to windward. We headed offshore in a building 15 to 20 knot Northeasterly and it looked to be a long night of pounding. Daybreak found us moved up a few spots in the 14 boat fleet, and we were slightly optimistic that we could pull off another comeback like leg 1. However, attacking from behind while going upwind is tough without taking complete flyers, so we just tried to keep boatspeed up and grind away to Montauk. As we approached Montauk we spied Partouche, Dragon, Initiatives, Bureau Veritas, GDF Suez, and Toothface and knew it would get close. We chose to go on the east side of Block Island and the incoming tide swept us in. We hammered straight into Pt Judith and then tacked around the point and headed for Castle Hill light off Newport. As often happens, the wind faded and finally died as we approached and everyone parked up and drifted in a few 360's before picking up a zephyr and inching towards the finish at Fort Adams. We took the gun at 3:00 am and Toothface was only 40 seconds behind us and GDF only 20 seconds behind them. Talk about a photo finish! Very stressful! But a ton of fun. We ended up in seventh place out of 14 boats, which leaves us in striking distance for a podium spot after two days of inshore racing this weekend. So, we are psyched and anxious to get our inshore team together for a bit of practice.

Thanks to all for all your wonderful support and please come to Newport this Saturday and Sunday and take in the action and party on the dock at the Newport Shipyard after.

Cheers,
Joe Atlantic Cup Gryphonsolo2 website