Page 24. MAINE COASTAL NEWS April 2009
Yacht Racing News
acht Racing News
Update Vendee Globe: The Last Boat Completes the Race
gate Rich is already 14th, showing consider- price on the way back north to Les Sables home port of the Great Americans than the
Continued from Page 22.
able determination, though always trying to d’Olonne. Some of his continued, consistent finish port.
Derek Hatfield – who had to re-start – has stay one step ahead of the weather condi- feeling of frustration was certainly a by prod- Wilson has regularly been fulsome in his
caught up to within 300 miles of Rich who is tions. By the New Zealand gate he is 11th. uct of his fatigue, but he was seemingly praise for other Vendée Globe skippers, en-
now in 16th place as skippers ahead of him Cape Horn is an uplifting and emotional constantly on the wind or being pounded by tranced and inspired by the race of Michel
start to fall victim to luck and mechanical time for him. While he had intended to be well contrary or confused seas in a series of stormy Desjoyeaux, who regularly gave advice to
failures. Wilson routes comfortably and to the north, the prevailing winds brought low pressure systems which seemingly Rich before the start and visited his family at
safely north of the Kerguelens. him to within a few miles of where he had singled him out from the South American home in Boston, but also admiring the perfor-
Rich’s race becomes mentally tougher capsized in 1990 and had to be rescued.. From coast. mances of Sam Davies, of Dee Caffari, and
after first, the retirement of Derek Hatfield there to Cape Horn his moods were mixed, but But he toughed it out all the way. ‘Be- Steve White. But as he completes his own
who had to head for Hobart when he lost his certainly when he had cleared the Island Los yond frustration’ was how he ultimately de- Vendée Globe, Rich Wilson is fully deserving
upper spreaders, and then Jonny Malbon Estados there was some relief to be back into scribed the weather conundrum which faced of enormous credit for the completion of his
who retired to Auckland when he felt there the Atlantic. him in the North Atlantic. A long series of race in an excellent ninth place.
was no point in continuing with his badly It may have been fairly kind on the out- detours around two high pressure systems Day 124, 13 March: Raphael Dinelli and
delaminated mainsail. At the East Australian ward leg south, but Wilson seemed to pay a took him west in the Atlantic, closer to the Norbert Sedlacek should complete their
Vendee Globe races this weekend, bringing
Early-Season Regatta To Benefit SailMaine Program
an end to this race. Dinelli has been making
good speed with less than 160 miles to go to.
PORTLAND — Maine's sailing regatta of SailMaine’s Junior Program. “At the same The post-race festivities will be open to
Sedlacek is still anticipating finishing
season will get off to an early start on Saturday, time, Gulf of Maine skippers and crews are the public, but advance reservations are
Sunday afternoon on his NAUTICSPORT
June 6, when sailboats will race on courses anxious to clean out the cobwebs that recommended. People interested in dinner
KAPSCH. He had to abandon the last Vendee
outside Portland Harbor to raise funds for developed during their long off-season, and tickets should contact event chairman Sarah
Globe race, retiring into Cape Town. Unfortu-
SailMaine, a local community sailing program. some may be looking to add people to their Helming at SailMaine: sarah@sailmaine.org
nately he faces the arrival of lighter winds
The Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing Association crew list. This regatta will bring everyone or 650-2085.
again so will be doing his best to arrive before
is teaming up with SailMaine to host the together.” Sail Maine is a non-for-profit, community
they do.
event, which will provide a wide range of Each racing boat will be assigned a program that offers sailing instruction to
Day 126, 15 March: Austrian sailors
benefits for SailMaine, its students, and the certain number of SailMaine students who youth and adults, promoting the values of
have made their mark in Olympic sailing in
skippers and crews of the racing boats that are new to Gulf of Maine racing. Sail Maine leadership, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and
recent years, winning medals in the Tornado,
participate. coaches will evaluate the experience, skill respect for the environment. SailMaine’s
windsurfer and Laser classes but Norbert
The regatta will be an opportunity for level, and aspirations of students and match web site is www.sailmaine.org.
Sedlacek set a new ocean racing record for a
current Gulf of Maine racers to make them with the appropriate racing yachts. The Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing
landlocked nation when he became the first
connections with new sailors and potential Some of the students are from SailMaine’s Association is a not-for-profit, charitable
Austrian to complete a solo non stop round
crew members, and will give SailMaine junior and high school programs; others may corporation formed to act as an amateur
the world passage when he finished the epic
students the chance to experience the thrill be participants in the organization’s Adult athletic organization to promote yacht racing,
sixth edition of the Vendée Globe in 11th
of racing on larger boats. Sailing program. including international yacht racing in the
place.
“Our students learned on smaller boats Funds for SailMaine will be raised ocean waters of the Gulf of Maine. GMORA
After 126 days, 5 hours, 31 minutes and
and sailing dinghies, and some have been through entry fees, sales of sailing apparel maintains a web site at www.gmora.org.
56 seconds at sea Sedlacek crossed the finish
looking for an opportunity to move into and other items, and a benefit dinner and
line off Les Sables d’Olonne.
bigger boats,” says Sarah Helming, director party following the race.
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