img10456The planned superyacht Transatlantic Race succumbed to the September
tragedy, but the owner of the new Holland Jachtbouw built schooner
Windrose challenged the 3 masted schooner Adix to a boat
on boat race over the original New York to Lizard point route.

In 1905 the schooner Atlantic, commanded by the legendary Charley Bar,
won a race covering a distance of 3013 nautical miles in 12 days, 4 hours
and 1 minute at an average speed of 10.3 knots. This record had stood
unbeaten by any schooner rigged displacement yacht.

On May 21st at 20.30 Windrose crossed the finishing line having sailed 3294
nautical miles in 11 days, 10 hours and 25 minutes at an average speed of
12.5 knots, beating Atlantic's time by 17.5 hours, and 6 hours later Adix
also crossed the line, again well inside Atlantic's previous record. Both
yachts enjoyed the benefit of 5 days downwind sailing in heavy conditions
with winds of up to 45 knots.

img10455Windrose, delivered earlier this year to her owner, sports a lightweight
set of high modulus carbon fibre spars designed and produced from
Carbospars new facility in Mallorca. Adix still sports the carbon gaffs and
mizzen boom sheathed in Sitka spruce designed and built in Carbospars Hamble
facility some 10 years ago. Neither yacht reports any significant damage
despite the punishing conditions.

Gerry Dijkstra, navigating on Windrose, provides some insight into the
conditions in the following comments extracted from his daily reports:

"The gale continues into the night but moderates from 42 knots steady in the
afternoon to 37 knots early Saturday evening. We add first the foresail
with 2 reefs and at midnight the full foresail, being a bit careful of the
5m waves. Speed drops below 13 knots and we set the main with 2 reefs. The
lowering and setting of fore and main sail when running in strong winds (max
we handled was 45 knots for a full mainsail) is quite feasible and can be
done. A fresh gale is coming."

"The genoa, staysail, Code Red and main sail we have, with a wind increased
to 45 knots and gusting higher, too much sail above our heads. Broach under
Code Red. Code Red blows out. We have pushed too hard. We are now running
in winds 45+ and seas at 12 to 15 feet, boat speed average 14 knots surfing
at 20 knots with max at 26.5."

"Windrose is excellent to control. Every once in a while she heels in the
gusts and puts her scuppers under, but she rights herself without deviating
from her straight course. Occasionally the gennaker collapses but by quick
action of helmsman and trimmer she fills each time gently. Adrenaline runs
high. The power of the rig is unbelievable, the aft guy, 24 mm Dyna-one,
feels like rod rigging. Nevertheless, all seems under control but there is
no room for error.".

img10454"In the meantime, the weather forecasts deteriorate rapidly. A big storm is
brewing over the N Atlantic and the centre is coming our way. NW force 10
forecast for the West quadrant of the low. Never seen such a widespread
flow of strong Westerlies on any Meteo chart. We hope to be able to outrun
the low and stay in the Southerlies of the East quadrant."

"The final run is an easy one, the ghost of Charley Bar has surrendered. We
cross the line on May 21st at 20 hrs 30 min 30 sec UTC. All hands on deck
and we are happy. Happy to have had a safe crossing without major injuries
or damage. Happy to have bettered Atlantic's time (we bettered her time, we
did not better her record which was a racing record and can only be broken
during a race, but that is semantics to us). Windrose feels like a real
schooner now. Happy to have stayed ahead of Adix. Happy that onboard Adix
all is well. I can go on like this, let us say that for a moment life
smiles".

Congratulations to both Windrose and Adix and all the crew for their
spectacular achievement.

Visit Carbospars' website at www.carbospars.com