Mike McIntyre joins all-star crew on Basilica
by Becky Hayes on 25 Aug 2007
Basilica Extreme 40s
Olympic gold medallist Mike McIntyre will sail alongside an all-star Basilica Team in tomorrow’s Loch Ness Monster Race.
The Team, made up of Mike McIntyre, James Grant, Americas Cup sailor David Carr, James George and Nick Houchin, spent today sailing on Loch Ness in preparation for tomorrow’s fifty mile endurance race which will see over forty catamarans from across the UK racing two lengths of Loch Ness.
Team Basilica’s Extreme 40, favourite to win tomorrow’s race is set to be the star of the event, wowing crowds with speeds of over thirty knots and impressive manoeuvres as it sails on one hull. With it’s sights set on victory, Basilica’s crew of top sailors spent today getting to grips with the extraordinary boat, one of the fastest in the world whilst taking in the stunning Loch Ness scenery. The forty foot catamaran will be helmed by Scottish sailing legend and Olympic Gold medallist, Mike McIntyre who is honorary commodore at Helensburgh Sailing Club (SC) a member of Hayling Island SC the burgee that Team Basilica sail under.
Team Basilica’s Loch Ness Monster Race Helmsman, Mike McIntyre commented; 'It’s really exciting to be racing back on home waters and on such an incredible boat as Basilica. The wind has been pretty strong today but it’s given the crew good practice on the boat and we are feeling very confident about tomorrow’s racing.'
Skippering Basilica tomorrow will be long-standing Team Basilica crew member James Grant who’s vast experience sailing the Extreme 40 will play a strong part in the Team’s success tomorrow. Grant sailed Basilica in the VX40 series during the 2006 Volvo Ocean Race and has had an outstanding 2007 season with the Team, sailing in the iShares Cup. James George and Nick Houchin will complete the impressive four man crew as they race the course passing Urquhart Castle to the turning mark at Fort Augustus and making their way back to the quiet village of Dores.
www.basilica.co.uk - www.extreme40.co.uk - www.isharescup.com
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