Rolex Fastnet Race- ICAP Maximus is into Irish Sea

by Janey Treleaven on 8 Aug 2005 After a near perfect start, to the 2005 Rolex Fastnet Race, which began Sunday at 12.20 in Cowes, Isle of Wight, ICAP Maximus sailed through the fleet of earlier class starts and by 14.00 was in front of all other competitors.

Variable wind strengths called for a number of sail changes in the Solent, before finding better winds as the boat headed out towards Portland Bill.

By this stage, only the Volvo 70 Telefonica and Skandia Wild Thing were still in sight astern, approximately three miles behind. Crew spirits were high as the watch systems commenced at 18.00 on Sunday.

Further sail changes were necessitated by fluctuating wind strengths, although navigator Mike Quilter's the decision to stay offshore began to pay dividends as the wind backed through the evening.

Light airs reaching through Sunday night, along the south western coast of England, saw ICAP Maximus arriving at the Lizard at 03.32 local time, over 30 minutes ahead of the Volvo 70 and Skandia Wild Thing.

'Some excellent tactics and navigating, coupled with consistent world class helming have put us in front and everything is going smoothly at present.' commented skipper Charles St Clair Brown, whose crew are currently still within the course record for the Fastnet.

With 154 miles to the Fastnet rock at 06.45 local time, the objective for Monday is to put as much distance between themselves and the rest of the fleet as possible.

Graham Sprigg (onboard)


Rolex Fastnet Race Crew

Skipper: Charles St Clair Brown

Co-Skipper: Bill Buckley

Sailing Master: George Hendy
Professional Sailor, GBR America’s Cup Team

Navigator: Mike Quilter
Team NZ Navigator, winner of round the world race, Navigator on Club Med

Helmsmen: Tom Dodson
Chief Executive Southern Spars, Olympic sailor

Greg Elliott
Designer latest Boats Mari Cha 4 record holder, Maximus

Jeff Scott
5 times around the world, Pro Sailor

Richard Bouzaid
Winner of America’s Cup with Alinghi, 3 times around the world race, Professional Sail maker (director of Doyle Sails)

Bowmen: Nick Partridge
Oracle sailing crew 2005, Winner 2004 Sydney Hobart (Nicorette)

David Petersen (Norm)
Boat builder, Pro Sailor Shore crew for Mike Golding Ecover, Tyco Volvo Ocean 60 2002

Chris Burgess
Rigger Waitamata Rigging, Crew member Wild Oats, Leopard of London, Sotto Volce

Mastman: Carl Williams
Oracle sailing crew 2005 (grinder), Team New Zealand sailing crew 2000 (grinder)

Mainsheet: Chris Main
Tactician Nippon Challenge, Mainsheet GBR Challenge, Rolex Transatlantic Challenge Sojana

Trimmers: Josh Tucker
Sailmaker

Craig Bowie (Scottish)
Two-handed Open 60 with Nick Maloney, Crew member Helemoto

Ben Morrison-Jones (MJ)
4 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, GBR Challenge sailing team (trimmer)

Richard Grey

Pit: Maxwell Charles St Clair Brown
Pro Sailor

Gavin McPherson
Pro sailor

Grinders: Steven Granger
Graham Sprigg
Jeremiah O’Keeffe
Kevin Sussmilch
Mark Worrall