72’ Mini Maxi Bella Mente establishes new keelboat record for Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record

Newport, RI (June 12, 2014) – For the second day in a row an attempt has been made at the Mount Gay Around Jamestown Record. Today a new keelboat record was established, but the overall record, set yesterday, remained in tact. Hap Fauth of Minneapolis, MN helmed his 72-foot Mini Maxi, Bella Mente, around Jamestown with an elapsed time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 35 seconds besting the previous keelboat record of 02:00:29 set on October 24, 2013 by 40 minutes and 54 seconds. The crew of 20 chose to sail the course around the island to starboard, sailing south from the start off Fort Adams at 12:00:04 ET, on an easterly breeze ranging from 12 to 16 knots on an outgoing tide.

The outright record was set yesterday, June 11^th, by Bronco, a Marstrom 32. Bronco’s time around Jamestown was 1 hour 2 minutes and 38 seconds. Bella Mente set out to break that record, but came up 17 minutes and 3 seconds short.

Sailors have until October 31st to attempt to break the new outright record and also secure one of the other divisional records: monohull and all sailing craft under 32 feet. If by October 31^st, no other team in any division bests Bronco’s outright record time, Bronco will secure the outright record for the Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record.

The Around Jamestown Record, presented by Mount Gay Rum in association with Café Zelda and IYAC is a perpetual all out record for sailing around Conanicut Island (also known as Jamestown) in lower Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.

Similar to other outright speed records, contenders will decide when to make a record attempt and also the direction in which they will sail around Jamestown. This means contenders can choose the most advantageous weather conditions and tidal flow in which to attempt the record.

Three categories of sailing boats will be recognized to vie for divisional honors with the overall perpetual trophy going to the boat with the outright fastest time. The entry fee is $100.00 per attempt for any vessel 32’ and over, vessels under 32’ the fee is $50. A portion of each entry fee will support Sail Newport.

The divisions recognized are:
• Outright Monohull keel boat
• Outright Mulithull boat
• All other sailing craft under 32 feet

The 2014 record is open from Memorial Day, May 26th until Halloween, October 31st during the hours of daylight. The yacht that wins the 2014 or outright record will be awarded Mount Gay Rum equal to the Skipper’s weight at the season ending awards party held at IYAC in Newport, RI.

Details: www.AroundJamestownRecord.com

Source: Julianna Barbieri, Manuka Sports Event Management