First Start of 2019 Pineapple Cup – Montego Race

(January 27, 2019) – Six teams started the Pineapple Cup – Montego Bay Race in Miami today at 11:05 local time today under cloudy skies in 20 knot southerly with 5-7 foot swells. The Class40 Dragon was first across followed closely by Senara and Sin Duda.

Nigel Knowles, Commodore of the Montego Bay Yacht Club “Because we have a two start race, I’m thrilled to be able to see the first start and then be a participant in the second start tomorrow. To have 13 countries competing alongside the number of Jamaicans including the team [Conviction] from Royal Jamaica Yacht Club and my yacht club is fantastic. I am very much looking forward to seeing all the teams in Jamaica as we give them our world famous Montego Bay Yacht Club welcome.”

Hugh Piggin, Race Director, “The teams are off on a screaming reach through the Gulf Stream for the next six hours, it’s going to be fast and wet. The big question mark is the passage of the front sitting just off the Florida coast and when it will overtake the fleet. Once the front passes, there will be a transition period to westerly winds the teams will have to deal with.”

Over 100 sailors from 13 countries including USA, Jamaica, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Trinidad, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, Cayman Islands, Australia, and New Zealand are taking part in this 34th edition of the 811-nautical mile race.

Race details – Entry list – Facebook

About the Pineapple Cup
Established in 1961, the Pineapple Cup is a classic 811-mile “beat, reach and run” ocean race that has been dubbed “the best ocean race in the world” by its devotees, including three-time winner and media mogul Ted Turner. The 34th edition starts in Florida on Sunday, January 27th at 11h00 and Monday 28th, January at 14h00.

The race is hosted at the start in Miami by Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and at the finish in Montego Bay by the Montego Bay Yacht Club. The course record is 2 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes and 42 seconds set in 2005 by Titan 12, a 75’ Reichel/Pugh designed maxi boat.

Source: Manuka Sports Event Management