Puma Becomes Third boat in the Volco Fleet to Round Cape Horn. One of those most affected was PUMA’s Ken Read. A maiden rounding of the Horn is a significant entry on a professional sailor’s CV and Read, who has been there and done almost everything else, is no exception.
It was little surprise then that when he and the crew of il mostro poked the bow of their Volvo Open 70 beyond the iconic Southern Ocean landmark at 20:46 GMT, he excused himself for romancing in the moment.
“I have never been accused of being the sentimental type,” he began. “If this, the southern most point of South America could talk, it would tell some harrowing tales of tragedy and heroics by sportsman and traders and businessman and adventurists alike, probably more so than any other nautical landmark in history.
“For this reason alone, it is a privilege to be let through these gates, the entrance to which must be earned and not simply taken.
“I am in awe of the sheer magnitude of the (Southern Ocean) passage and the final toll booth that lets you through and awaits the next yacht to venture this way. Il mostro and her crew of 11 have now rounded Cape Horn. Easy to stare at and dream about what has been and what will be. Maybe I AM becoming sentimental.” Indeed you are Ken.
The collection of Cape crusaders on il mostro is diverse in experience. Navigator Andrew Cape was making his seventh rounding, Erle Williams and Sidney Gavignet their fourth, with two each to Justin Ferris, Jerry Kirby, Rob Greenhaugh, Rick Deppe and Rob Salthouse. Joining Read in the rookie category were Michi Mueller and Casey Smith.
Like his skipper, Smith also bares his soul – and a lot more besides. Read promised the full home video of the “celebrations” at a later date but by way of a trailer, he added the crew had “broken out the Cuban cigars, the sailmaker’s oil, and the whisky – and Casey found the energy to get naked again. On the bow, waves crashing over him with a Cape Horn sign. Dear Lord. Welcome to my world. Never a dull moment around here.”