Transatlantic race postponed

Gale force winds delay departure of Rolex Transatlantic Challenge

A severe depression, centered off Cape Cod lunchtime Saturday and potentially producing headwinds gusting up to 50 knots, has caused the Race Committee of the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge to delay the start, provisionally until 1400EDT Sunday, May 22, 2005. This parallels the start of the New York Yacht Club's 1905 race for the Kaiser's Cup which was delayed due to thick fog off the entrance to New York Harbour.

At the Captains' Briefing in the New York Yacht Club's Model Room last night, David Tunick, Chair of the Technical & Compliance Subcommittee for the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge, gave the reasons for the decision: "We looked at the weather all week. We not only monitored the National Weather Service ourselves, but we also took advice from two professional weather services. Their advice, coming to us independently this morning, was to postpone the start. The reason is that there were two lows out there that looked as if they might be merging - a double whammy. With the history of the Sydney-Hobart and the Fastnet, they considered it highly irresponsible of the New York Yacht Club to send off the race tomorrow."

Tunick added that many of the top skippers taking part in the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge had spoken to him during the day, also urging him to postpone the start. "I was pleased to hear that advice, and it was on that advice that the decision was taken."

Mike Sanderson, racing helmsman of line honors favorite Mari-Cha IV gave his views: "If it had gone to a vote, we would have voted to go, because we think we're battle-ready. But I think it is smart what they have done. There is no point in burning out half the fleet in one fell swoop. Time will tell what the weather does in the following days. I think we will get away Sunday. Three days into it, we should get good breeze again, but on the wind."

Mike Slade felt his water-ballasted 90ft Leopard of London would have handled the conditions had the start not been postponed but was happy with the decision. "As the owner and the one who is normally seasick in such conditions, I am quite relieved. When you hit the Gulf Stream, if there is a northeasterly coming down at you and the Gulf Stream coming from the south-southwest, you have wind against tide and as any estuary sailors knows it can get quite choppy. And then you have a shelf, as well, over the Grand Banks - then you're asking for some serious weather."

Slade is also keen to get underway as he wants to finish in time to watch his race horse Unfurled compete in the Epsom Derby.

A start for Sunday looks promising, Tunick said at the briefing. "We have been looking at the weather this afternoon and have been in touch with both our weather services. We will be looking at it again tomorrow morning. All I can say is it is not looking too bad for Sunday."

At the Captains' Briefing, the mandatory waypoint known as 'Point Alpha' was announced as being at 47degN 51degW. Adding this waypoint to the course was designed to reduce the risk of competitors encountering ice. However this year there seems to be little risk of this. The US Coastguard Ice Patrol and the Canadian Ice Service, who have been in regular contact with the Race Committee, have both advised that no bergs have been spotted in the vicinity of the course, save for an "ambiguous radar contact" at 48deg 03N 48deg 32W on Thursday, which was projected forward to be at approximately 47deg 35N, 48deg 00W, with a 30nm error circle on 24 May. The authorities feel this is unlikely to be an iceberg.

The Rolex Transatlantic Challenge is sponsored by Rolex and also by Moran Towing Corp., Sandy Hook Pilots, P&O Ports North America, and MedLink. The race is supported by the City of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Showboats International is the event's official marine publication; program sponsors include Rolex, North Fork Bank and Holland Jachtbouw.