RORC Transatlantic Race Newsflash: Start delayed and course changed
Lanzarote, November 28
As predicted, a low pressure system arrived in Lanzarote in the early hours of this morning, bringing strong westerly winds of over 30 knots gusting up to 45 knots. The sea state in the region has been building all day. The forecast for tomorrow morning is much the same, however may abate by the afternoon.
The Skippers' Briefing for the RORC Transatlantic Race took place this afternoon in the Cetacean Museum, Puerto Calero Marina and the fully focused audience was eager to hear the decision by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in relation to tomorrow's scheduled start of the RORC Transatlantic Race.
RORC Racing Manager, Nick Elliott has been discussing the weather situation with competitors and the RORC Race Committee over the last few days and after careful consultation and analysis of the weather situation, tomorrow's start will be delayed and the course will be altered.
The RORC Transatlantic Race is now scheduled to start Saturday 29th November 1500 UTC and the new course will be to leave Fuerteventura to Starboard and head straight out to the Atlantic, rather than race around The Canary Islands.
“We have been looking at the wind and the weather today and the forecast for tomorrow and we have been discussing what we can do to make the race run as smoothly and successfully as possible. At the moment if the the strong westerly winds persist, the yachts will not even be able to leave the harbour. So we are going to keep monitoring the situation and keep all of the racing yachts informed and it is possible that we might delay the start even further to 1700 and after that time, we would not start the race before Sunday morning," commented Nick Elliott.
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The Amura Restaurant with wonderful views of the Puerto Calero Marina was yesterday the focal point for the crews competing in the RORC Transatlantic Race. A barbecue buffet and fine wine was provided by Puerto Calero, Promotur and Islas Canarias. Honoured guests included, Héctor Fernández, Director of the Tourist Board, Lanzarote and Paula Muñoz López, Lanzarote Representative for UK & Ireland at the Spanish Tourist Office.
RORC Chief Executive, Eddie Warden Owen welcomed all of the competitors to the first edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race:
“As always, there is a huge amount of work behind the scenes and I would like to thank the RORC Race Team and most importantly, this event would not happen without sponsors. We are all here today, thanks to the enthusiasm of the Calero family and their energy and commitment has given the competitors a wonderful place to start this fantastic race. I would also like to thank the Lanzarote Tourist Board, Promotur and Islas Canarias, for their tremendous support and Westerhall Rums for their cocktail party, which was very well received by the crews.”
The RORC Transatlantic Race is organised in association with the International Maxi Association. RORC Admiral, Andrew McIrvine is also Secretary General of the IMA and spoke about the partnership:
“This is a unique opportunity for me as Admiral of the RORC as we have been developing new RORC races over the last few years and as Secretary General of the IMA, this is a perfect opportunity to marry the two races together. This is a proper race across the Atlantic and I am so pleased that four Maxi yachts have entered the first edition, as well as the fantastic array of other yachts racing in other classes. The tremendous effort from the RORC, the Calero family and the Governments of Lanzarote, the Canaries and Grenada, have finally got this race off the ground. I am sure it will grow and grow.”
José Juan Calero representing the Calero Family said: “Thank you to the sponsors, the RORC and the IMA. Thank you for choosing the Calero family and Puerto Calero Marina as the host port for the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race. This collaboration makes a lot of sense because while we have been organising a number of high profile inshore events, including world championships, Puerto Calero is an offshore sailing venue, so for us to host this event shows this relationship between Puerto Calero and a true race across the Atlantic Ocean. As with any first edition, the first one is special and I see all of the competing sailors as founders of the RORC Transatlantic Race.”
Héctor Fernández, Director of the Tourist Board, Lanzarote: “On behalf of the Canarian Government, thank you for coming to Lanzarote and to the organisers and sponsors of an excellent event. The Calero family are an excellent choice as managers of this race and their new marina in Arrecife, Marina Lanzarote, is now open and offers unrivalled facilities in the Canary Islands. Lanzarote now has three excellent marinas and is the focus in the Canary Islands for visiting yachts and we see this as an area of growth in tourism for the future. May I wish all of the competitors fair winds for the race and we hope to see you again next year.”
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