Fast forward in Antigua Bermuda Race

(May 11, 2019; Day 4) – All yachts racing in the 935 nautical mile Antigua Bermuda Race are experiencing fast-reaching conditions towards Bermuda, with Supermaxi SHK Scallywag (HKG) expected to finish tonight. At 0700 AST today, Scallywag has 140 miles to go with an expected finish time around dusk tonight, which would put the team outside the race record.

“We are bouncing along at 15 knots, tight reaching towards Bermuda,” notes Scallywag navigator Miles Seddon. “After a slow and painful time ghosting along through very light winds, we are now through and into the nor’ easterly winds and pointing directly at the finish line. It has become a little cooler, which means it’s much easier to sleep below deck now. We are all looking forward to Bermuda!”

In the race for Line Honours, SHK Scallywag is 124 miles ahead of Afansay Isaev Maxi Weddell (RUS), which is 365 miles from the finish. Gilles Barbot’s Volvo 60 Esprit de Corps IV (CAN) has found great breeze to the east of the fleet and is third on the water with 375 miles to go.

British Lombard 46 Pata Negra, skippered by Andy Liss leads the IRC Racing Class. Peter Grueterich’s xP-44 Xpatriate (USA) is second, and Morgan Watson & Meg Reilly’s Pogo 12.50 Hermes II (CAN) is third.

Pata Negra has 380 miles to go and is trucking along at close to 10 knots of boat speed, flying their Code Zero. “It’s great to be back in good wind,” commented Pata Negra’s Andy Liss. “We are having a pleasant race. After the power-reaching and great conditions at the start, then the light winds, it was very testing. We were searching for speed and wind rather than the course, with a man in the crow’s nest for three hours, searching for our best course around the holes.”

Carlo Falcone’s 1938 Alfred Mylne ketch Mariella leads the CSA Cruising Class by under three hours after time correction from Pata Negra. A fantastic duel is on-going for third place, between Hermes II and Henry Rourke’s double-handed Open 40 Raucous (SUI).

During the area of light winds, Hermes II elected to sail west, while Raucous headed north, passing their rivals. Whilst the two yachts are 40 miles apart (east-west) their distance from Bermuda is almost exactly the same, as is their speed.

CSA leader Mariella sent in a report via satellite: “A little update from Mariella. So far, so good. The old lady loves the angle of the wind and she keeps moving fast considering her age. On board Mariella we have an amazing menu based on two beautiful fresh wahoo!”

Race details – Entry list – Tracker – Facebook

The third edition of the 935-mile Antigua Bermuda Race will start on the May 8 and is organized in association with Antigua Sailing Week and is supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Yachts of 40-feet and over will be racing under the IRC Rating Rule, MOCRA and the CSA Racing Rule, with the latter amended to permit boats to use their engines, subject to a time penalty.

The 2019 Atlantic Ocean Racing Series will consist of five races: RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Bermuda Race, Transatlantic Race 2019, Rolex Fastnet Race, and Rolex Middle Sea Race. Three races, including the Transatlantic Race (weighted 1.5), will be required to qualify.

Source: Louay Habib