Rocco Falcone, one of Antigua’s fine youth sailors at the helm of Volvo 70 True North on Sunday, January 20, 2013. Photo (c) Dubai Expo 2020 Corporation.
The annual Antigua Yacht Club ‘Round the Island’ race saw Volvo 70 True North storm to a record-breaking victory last Saturday, shaving more than 30 minutes off the previous time and setting a thrilling pace for the crew and thirteen guests on board.
True North skipper, Alistair Moore, accepting the Sizzling Bacon Trophy for setting a new monohull Round the Island record of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 51 seconds. Photo (c) Dubai Expo 2020 Corporation.
The crew was greeted with 18 knots of wind on the way out to the race track; ideal sailing conditions for a Volvo 70 to gain maximum speeds. An excited bunch on board included local sailors and yacht club members, and everyone was keen and willing to put all their efforts into sailing True North hard and fast.
The tactical 55 nautical mile course sent the Volvo 70 skimming along the outskirts of Antigua’s stunning coastline, reaching top speeds of up to 20 knots during the downwind stretches. With countless islands and reefs to navigate around, and plenty of corners to turn on the way around the island, sail changes were carried out with slick crew to keep the boat speed at record-breaking pace.
Crossing the finish line with an impressive time of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 51 seconds, True Northsailed her way into the record books as the fastest monohull to have ever completed this course, and skipper Alistair was awarded the “Sizzling Bacon trophy” for their efforts.
Alistair was thrilled with the overall result, and thankful to everyone on board for making it possible.
“It’s phenomenal what this yacht is capable of. But it’s also thrilling to give others the opportunity to see her fully powered up and help to sail this magnificent racing yacht. The smiles are just contagious. It was a brilliant day, and we are incredibly happy with our result,” he said.
He also thanked Antigua Yacht Club for hosting the race, the race committee for their superb job starting and finishing the competitors, and also the other crews who made up the 19-strong fleet over three divisions.
Written by Kathy Lammers, Editor Antigua’s Yachting Insider.
