GC 32 Foiling Cat Argo sets Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record

by Julianna Barbieri on 28 Oct 2014 A new outright record and time to beat was set today for the Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record. Jason Carroll of New York City helmed his new GC 32, Argo, around Jamestown with an elapsed time of 58 minutes and 31 seconds, besting the previous record of 01:03:38 by four minutes and seven seconds. The record setting crew included Chad Corning, Mischa Hemmskerk, Mike Barnes, Cameron Appleton and Mike Kuschner. They chose to sail the course around the island to starboard, sailing south from the start off Fort Adams at 11:33:31 ET, on a northwesterly breeze ranging from 20 to 30 knots on an outgoing tide.

Argo, a GC 32 is a 32-foot, foiling catamaran and is the first and only GC 32 in North America. Owner/helmsman Jason Carroll, purchased Argo this summer with the goal of having her in the water in Newport in time to break the Around Jamestown Record. The team began putting Argo together on Monday and was able to go for their first sail on Friday. Today was their fourth time sailing around Jamestown and third official attempt at the record.

Owner/Helmsman Jason Carroll said, 'We want to congratulate Bronco on their effort and record time set earlier this year. Today was our fourth time around Jamestown, but being able to break the record was only a matter of the wind behaving, which it did. To be honest there could have been a little bit less [wind]. Coming around the top of the Island we hit our top speed of 37.1 knots. I’m happy, but a little bummed that we can’t go sailing again today because we broke both foils during the attempt.'

Sailors have until October 31st to attempt to break the new outright record and also secure one of the other divisional records: monohull and all sailing craft under 32 feet. If by October 31st, no other team in any division bests Argo’s outright record time, Argo will secure the outright record. When asked if the record holds what he he would do with all of the rum, Carroll replied, 'Elvis (Carroll’s Gunboat) has a seven gallon rum tank, so we’ll fill that right up.'

The Around Jamestown Record, presented by Mount Gay Rum in association with Café Zelda and IYAC is a perpetual all out record for sailing around Conanicut Island (also known as Jamestown) in lower Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.

Similar to other outright speed records, contenders will decide when to make a record attempt and also the direction in which they will sail around Jamestown. This means contenders can choose the most advantageous weather conditions and tidal flow in which to attempt the record.

Three categories of sailing boats will be recognized to vie for divisional honors with the overall perpetual trophy going to the boat with the outright fastest time. The entry fee is $100.00 per attempt for any vessel 32’ and over, vessels under 32’ the fee is $50. A portion of each entry fee will support Sail Newport.

The divisions recognized are:

• Outright Monohull keel boat – Current Record Holder: 72’ mini-maxi, Bella Mente 01:19:35
• Outright Mulithull boat – Current Record Holder: GC 32, Argo, 00:58:31
• All other sailing craft under 32 feet – Foiling Kiteboard, Cash & Burn 01:03:38

The 2014 record is open from Memorial Day, May 26th until Halloween, October 31st during the hours of daylight. The yacht that wins the 2014 or outright record will be awarded Mount Gay Rum equal to the Skipper’s weight at the season ending awards party held at IYAC in Newport, RI on Saturday, November 8th at Event website