Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

Nariida leads Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

by Jill Campbell, Vincenzo Frigo on 30 Nov 2007
Nariida - Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2007 YCCS -
The seven maxi yachts taking part in the first edition of the Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, promoted by the International Maxi Association and organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of the Real Club Nautico de Tenerife and the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, are progressing westward across the Atlantic accompanied by fair conditions and high spirits.

The fleet set off from Tenerife in the Canary Islands on Monday 26th November bound for St Maarten in the Netherland Antilles. As of 16.45 UTC Morten Bergsen’s Nariida (NOR) continued to hold a lead that she has not relinquished from the start.

The shortest possible distance the maxis will cover from start to finish, based on the most direct possible course, is approximately 2650 nautical miles. After just over 72 hours of navigation the Norwegian leader has covered more than 900 nautical miles, slightly over one third of the course. If skipper Knut Frostad and his crew can keep up this pace they may expect to arrive in St Maarten around the middle of next week, well ahead of the official time limit set for Friday 14th December at 15.00 local time (UTC -4).

'At the minute the true wind speed is 16 to 20 knots,' reported Frostad at 15.24 UTC, 'There is a small swell, blue sky and nice sailing conditions. We are running with spinnaker and enjoy the trade winds. It’s an interesting weather scenario as the trades are broken up from the normal pattern. We have taken a northerly position and obviously hope this will pay off in the long run.'

Frostad and his crew, which includes many Volvo Ocean Race and Whitbread race sailors, are enjoying the relative comfort of this trip: 'The atmosphere is great onboard. For those onboard used to racing in the Volvo Ocean Race, it’s a huge difference sleeping in a proper bed and eating nice food every day. Some have even enjoyed the luxury of a fresh water shower!'

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, but a resourceful crew can overcome many difficulties, as the skipper of the Wally 105 goes on to explain: 'We ripped our reaching gennaker two days ago, and the crew has managed to sew it back together using the new sewing machine we have onboard. It takes a while to get various pieces from a 600 square metre sail back together, but now it’s all in one piece again.'

Nariida has chosen the most northerly route of all the maxis and is followed by Peter Harrison’s Sojana (GBR). Further back, and following a more southerly course are Andrè Auberton’s Dark Shadow (MON), Blue Pearl (GBR), Bernd Kortum’s Julie Marie (GER) and Will Apold’s Valkyrie (CAN) with less than 50 nautical miles separating each of these yachts.

Rounding up the fleet, having covered almost 600 nautical miles, is Gerhard Ruether’s Zefiro (GER). Reuther, who has over 130,000 miles sailing under his belt, is completing his first transatlantic race and is thoroughly enjoying the experience as his report of 14.00 UTC demonstrates. 'We have 15 knots of wind from 60 degrees. Sea condition moderate to rough. Our average speed is 9 knots. All is going well. At the moment we are running at 10 knots under gennaker. Spirits on board are high and we are enjoying every minute!'.

www.yccs.it .
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER

Related Articles

Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 4
Hutchinson adding the missing element as American Magic Quantum Racing close in on title Now holding a 13-points lead after today's two races contested at the Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup, American Magic Quantum Racing crew are on the cusp of completing their first 52 SUPER SERIES regatta win since victory in Barcelona in September 2022.
Posted today at 5:39 pm
Rooster Sailing's 2025 Collection Just Dropped
From the redesigned Technical Shorts to the all-new SB2 Deck Trainers From the redesigned Technical Shorts to the all-new SB2 Deck Trainers, the 2025 collection has been developed with real sailors, for real conditions.
Posted today at 4:00 pm
Expanding horizons with West System Epoxy
Working on D-Class boats over the years sparked Jonathan Minnebo's love of sailing Returning to his roots, Jonathan Minnebo has broadened his sights from solely shipwright work to creating bespoke furniture and staircase design and installation.
Posted today at 6:54 am
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 2
Final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage A thrilling second day of racing at the 2025 Santa Maria Cup saw the final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage.
Posted today at 4:47 am
SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world.
Posted on 5 Jun
Scandinavian Gold Cup at Sopot, Poland Day 1
A slow start with very little wind The Scandinavian Gold Cup opened Thursday in Sopot, Poland, with seven 5.5 Metres competing for this historic and iconic trophy that dates back to 1922. Unfortunately, there was not enough wind to even complete one race.
Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet."
Posted on 5 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted on 5 Jun
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 5 Jun