Ondeck Atlantic Challenge - Ondeck Rum Runners deliver special bounty

by Trish Jenkins on 9 Jun 2010 Ondeck Atlantic Challenge skipper Pete Whitelaw and crew Mark Barton, Rory Johnson and Roger Johnson became known as ‘The Rum Runners’ as they stepped off their 65ft yacht Spirit of Minerva at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth in the early hours of Saturday morning, completing the 3,500 nautical mile Atlantic Challenge from the Caribbean via The Azores.

The four ‘Rum Runners’ so named because they and the rest of the crew on board had stopped off in the birthplace of rum, Barbados to pick up a very special cargo to bring back to the UK – the very first shipment of Mount Gay’s 1703 Old Cask Selection super-premium rum. The Minister of Tourism for Barbados, The Hon. Richard Sealy signed the bottles which are to be auctioned for charity, and a presentation case containing six bottles was carefully stowed on board before slipping dock. The crew were informed that their cargo must reach historic Portsmouth in one piece!
Shortly after departure, the crew blog stated: “It is rumoured that there is a special cargo of aged rum aboard, but Pirate Pete is refusing to acknowledge or disclose its location. We feel a walking of the plank may be called for before the end of the journey.” Luckily for Pete this was not to happen and the crew were able to follow in the centuries old tradition of bringing back a barrel of Mount Gay Rum to prove their Atlantic passage with no mishaps.

As well as Spirit of Minerva, three other Ondeck Farr 65 yachts completed the Atlantic Challenge. Each yacht sailed with a skipper and professional crew as well as those paying for the experience. 11 of the crew used the race as a qualifying passage to complete their Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate, but most of the competitors have never experienced an ocean passage before.

First yacht home at 2330 hours on Friday evening, Spirit of Isis first sighted land as they were 10 miles off Lizard Point:”This brought out Rod Stewart’s ‘Sailing’ which was piped on deck to celebrate nearly being home.” Second boat to arrive at 0300 on Saturday 5 June, Spirit of Juno had a steady 15-20 knot wind and by the time they had reach Portsmouth: “The crew had learnt how to slip off the top of the waves and not crash our near 30 ton surfboard down onto the sea.” Only 30 minutes separated Spirit of Minerva and Spirit of Diana.

Family and friends and of course, ‘The Run Runners’ celebrated in style at a Mount Gay Rum party held to welcome back the crews on Saturday evening in The Custom House which went on until late into the night.

For more information, please see: www.ondeck.co.uk