The 34 competitors of OSTAR 2009 left Plymouth this afternoon (25th May) at 1230hrs, on their 2,800 mile journey to Newport, Rhode Island USA.
Challenge and Adventure’s own Colin Merry gives us his impressions of the start.
Crowds gathered on land and on the water to see H.R.H The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh start the race from on board the Trinity house vessel Galatea.
As if on cue the light rain disappeared and a light but constant breeze arrived to send them off. With Galatea in the Eastern corner of Plymouth Sound and the pin end of the line being the red Navigation buoy ‘Melampus’ adj. Drake’s Islandit made for a spread out fleet that approached the line. Great spectator watching wherever you happened to be!
As to be expected it was the trimarran of Anne Caseneuve who cleared the western end of the breakwater first, stretching her legs as she encountered clear air away from the lee of Fort Picklecombeand the high wooded slopes. Suddenly she was away with non but the fastest pursuing spectator/press boats still able to keep up! following closely came the racing monohullsthen the more sedate cruisers. It was one of these ‘cruisers (Tamarind) with Mervyn Wheatley who won on handicap in the 2005 OSTAR!
Images By Colin Merry
(click on image to enlarge)
We hovered by the western end of the breakwater and watched them all pass the lighthouse. The next lighthouse 12 miles out (Eddystone) would be their turning mark with the channel opening into the Western Approaches and finally the Atlantic Ocean.
A special mention here is due I think to the two youngest participants:-
Oscar Mead on his J105 ”King of Shaves” at eighteen is the youngest competitor ever to have qualified for the OSTAR!
Katie Miller 21, on her Benneateau Figaro II ”Bluqube” has already circumnavigated Great Britainin a 21ft. Corribee!
After months of preparation the skippers will now face strong prevailing westerly winds, an adverse Gulf Stream,hazardous icebergs and dense forg as they each battle to reach Rhode Island and the finish. With competitors from all over the globe including; USA, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Holland and the United Kindom, the whole world will be watching their progress.
Trackers have been fitted on each boat and their progress can be seen via the on the Race Tracker on our main page.
The OSTAR run exclusively by the royal Western Yacht Club since it’s inception in 1960, is the original single-handed Trans Atlantic race. This event, which is the oldest solo ocean race in history and is primarily for amateur sailors and aspiring professionals and follows in the tradition of the original ‘half crown’ bet between Blondie Haslar and Francis Chichester. This will be the thirteenth edition of the race.
1. Quiet contemplation
2.ready for the off.
345 HRH
We wish them luck and fair winds.