First Discovery yacht rounding Cape Horn

by Sail-World on 22 Feb 2009 When one produces a yacht suitable for hard ocean sailing and any weather conditions, and not simply for cruising in gentle or protected waters, it's always good to hear that one of the yachts has been chosen by an extremely experienced skipper to do what it was designed for. So it is no wonder that Discovery Yachts is quick to tell the story:

Discovery has confirmed that one of their Discovery 55s is about to round Cape Horn having undertaken an adventurous passage from the UK via the Falkland Islands. 'Festina Lente' owned and sailed by Nick Pochin, author of the book Poles Get Closer has already completed a circumnavigation and is now en-route to Vancouver. She becomes the first Discovery 55 to round the Cape.

Mark Waterhouse of Discovery was delighted with the news, 'We have a number of our 55s which have crossed oceans but it is particularly satisfying to know that owners are totally confident in the yacht and they will happily undertake sailing on any voyage regardless of how gruelling it may seem. This is, after all, precisely what a Discovery Yacht is designed to do - It is a shining example of the ability of the Discovery design to handle long passages in all conditions with comfort and ease.'

The yacht and her crew have enjoyed an extended cruise from the UK visiting as many Atlantic Islands as possible as well as visiting various ports in South America.

The Discovery 55, Atta Troll III, based in Kinsale, Ireland recently returned from a cruise to Iceland, while a new 55 to be launched later this year will undertake another adventurous cruise when her owner sails the Northern route to the USA via Greenland.

Already a proven competitor in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), the Discovery 55, Jacaranda, was recently given the honour of leading the annual St Lucia Sail Past which marks the start of the ARC. The flotilla of Caribbean based yachts was watched by hundreds of spectators who lined the shore.

The first Discovery 67 will be launched this Spring and is planning to take part in the Round the World Blue Water Rally starting in October.