Kite foilboard sets new Mount Gay Around Jamestown Record

In the wake of Hurricane Arthur on July 5, Zach Marks of St. Petersburg, Florida broke the Mount Gay Around Jamestown Record for all sailing craft under 32 feet. Mark’s pace fell short of the outright record by 30 seconds, which was set by the Marstrom 32 Bronco on June 11, 2014.

Using his kite foilboard, Marks sailed the 20+ mile course, which passes around Conanicut Island in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, in an elapsed time of 01:03:08, besting the previous record for all other sailing craft of 02:00:29 set on October 24, 2013. Marks chose to sail the course around the island to port, sailing north from the start off Fort Adams at 10:28:04 ET, on a northwesterly breeze ranging from 18-22 knots.

Marks, an assistant sailing coach for Eckerd College, is working as a sailing coach at Annapolis Yacht Club for the summer, and had been following the weather in Newport looking for a good window to attempt the record.

The outright record by Bronco stands at 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 38 seconds.

Sailors have until October 31 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, 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 May 26 until October 31 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.

http://aroundjamestownrecord.com

Source: Julianna Barbieri, Manuka Sports Event