Rolex Middle Sea Race - Aussie gets lucky on USA TP52 boat that won

by Lulu Roseman on 28 Oct 2010 The USA TP52 Lucky has won the Rolex Middle Sea Race with a little help from a man from downunder.

The crew arrived across the finish line on Tuesday night but went to bed not knowing if they had taken out the overall handicap honours or not. Lucky we had Andrea Moegling on the spot to catch up with an exhausted but happy Andy Turton before his head hit the pillow.

There is no doubt that the kamikaze weather pattern in this year's race created many challenges but Australian yachtsman, Andy Turton, sailing in his first RMSR, knew from the onset that the conditions would favour his ride, a sturdy TP52 modified for oceam racing.

'The first part of the race was a bit quicker than we expected and we sailed right up to the bigger boats. Further up the race track we met the anticipated tidal gate at the Messina Strait and our timing was perfect. Thanks to our navigator, Ian , (on loan from BMW ORacle Racing) who made the right call to hang onto the spinnaker and wait for the breeze to lift us. That’s were we got away from the other 50 footers boats. Later of course they caught up with us again. The course offered so many tactical choices to be made. It had plenty to offer and we were able to make the most out of the conditions handed to us,' Turton said.

'We have great mix of people amongst our crew all with individual talent. Everybody was pushed to limit in using their skills from navigation to steering and looking after the boat through the sail changes, and being strict in keeping to the watch schedule. It is tough being on the rail for the whole day or night and Byron Erhard, our owner played an integral role in putting this great team together,' he said

The question many want answered (if our mailbag is anything to go by! - Ed) and is rarely asked to those that endure these longer ocean races is, 'Did you actually have fun?

'Yep it was a whole lot of fun. Awesome and very exciting. We had some fantastic long downwind runs with over 30 knot winds. The sky went from being pitch black with lightening bolts and then we'd get hammered with torrential rain and massive hail stones.

'When you're crossing over busy shipping lanes with 17 knots on the nose with the jibb top on and trying to get across the bow of the big guys, there is always something happening. Everybody wanted to do their best and pull their weight. Really, the toughest part was going off watch and actually trying to sleep because I wanted to give more and help out my mates so we achieve a good result.'

The boat has been enhanced for offshore racing and over the past since months it has had undergone some significant modifications in Valencia to refine it’s IRC rating, including dual steering wheels for easier steerage in heavier seas.

'For me it's the opportunity to go out there and give it my best, and to be able to walk away at the end knowing that as an individual and as part of the team we have succeeded.

The results are still up in air and we don’t know yet. There are still some boats out there that can come in and win overall but if we missed out I wouldn't be that disappointed because we pushed the boat pretty hard. It would only give full credit to these guys that were out there for so much longer.

'We will certainly do this race next year as well as the Fastnet. Next up for me is preparing for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart. But I don’t know which boat I am on at this stage. I have done five so far and it is challenging each time but it would have to be one of the greatest yacht races.'

Summer, Sunshine, Sydney Harbour, Good Friends, Good Friends, Fine Food and Wine ....Heaven.

http://www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/