Fusion and BMC Sponsor Fastnet Winner

22-Jul-2005

Fusion and BMC Sponsor Fastnet Winner

The biennial Rolex Fastnet Race is considered one of the world's classic ocean races, the 608-mile course a test for skippers and crews with its tricky tidal currents and changeable weather conditions. Steven Badger of BMC reported from Plymouth that Maximus arrived first and safely just after 08:20am Wednesday morning. Maximus arrived 13 hours in front of the next boat a Skandia named Wild Thing.

Maximus left Cowes at 12:20 on Sunday 7th of August making their total time 68 hours. In spite of stiff competition and some very challenging light airs sailing, ICAP Maximus extended its lead over Skandia Wild Thing, the Volvo 70 Telefonica Movistar and other contenders for line honours.

Speaking shortly after the Super Maxi had docked, Charles St Clair Brown thanked Rolex, the sponsors of the 2005 event and praised his crew for their fantastic efforts. Although ICAP Maximus finished ahead of the fleet by a phenomenal time margin, the 600 course taken over the past three days had been far from easy. After rounding Fastnet Rock at 03.33 local time on Tuesday morning, the high pressure system sitting over the Irish Sea frustrated efforts to make good time away from Fastnet and back towards the Scilly Isles.

Winds as low as 2.5 knots made precision helming and precise calls for sail changes absolutely crucial, as the ICAP Maximus crew headed south to exit the high. By late afternoon the winds were building again, as predicted by navigator Mike Quilter, and key helmsmen Richard Bouzaid, Tom Dodson, Greg Elliott - the yacht's designer -, Jeff Scott and George Hendy worked hard to find wind and heat up the pace.

As Tuesday evening drew on the wind built and ICAP Maximus recorded its fastest speeds of the race during the night's reach towards Plymouth. With 16 knots showing at times, significantly above the wind speed of 13 knots, the Kiwi yacht headed for line honours and a place in the history books.

During all the race, apart from the period a few hours after the start, the only competitors seen were on the distant horizon. "Once we'd rounded the Fastnet Rock," commented Charles St Clair Brown, "we were quietly confident that, with a crew of this calibre, we would finish strongly." His confidence proved correct and, with the support and assistance of ICAP, this super maxi has notched up yet another race win, achieved in difficult and demanding conditions.

The Maximus consortium website has new wallpaper available for download to celebrate the Fastnet victory. You can get your copy here... http://www.supermaxi.co.nz.