Estrella Damm ahead

In the inter-Spanish Open 60 New York-Barcelona record attempt

Strategic options have been limited for the two IMOCA Open 60s Estrella Damm and W Hotels as they approach a theoretical half way point in their New York Barcelona Transoceanic Sailing Record Challenge.

And for the foreseeable future, certainly from here to Gibraltar, it will continue to be hand-to-hand combat for the crews, a straight test of trimming and boat speed. The two crews are already ticking off one of the key objectives of this unique transatlantic challenge - to learn and improve under race conditions.

W Hotels has constantly been snapping at the heels of Estrella Damm, and this afternoon they were still just over 20 miles behind as the duo made excellent progress on a fast, bumpy and wet – again – fetch on a southeasterly heading towards the low pressure system that is generating the 20 knot NNEly winds and mounting seas.

There has been no let up in the attack from either team. Although the mood on board each boat were a little more relaxed today, the focus was on regular rest for the off-watch crew, and intensive trimming of the sails, trying to eke out any extra available speed. Another target which has very clearly been met is inspiring and engaging the American crewman on each boat. Both Stan Schreyer on Estrella Damm and Peter Becker on W Hotels are running short of superlatives. Both cannot get enough ‘helm time’ and clearly this could be the start of an Open 60 love affair which could endure the test of time.

Stan Schreyer commented: “We were helming a lot especially when we were downwind in waves which was a couple of days ago now and in the light stuff, but I guess we probably have been on the autopilot now for 30 hours or so. My Spanish crew mates are extraordinary. I don’t think I have seen Pepe [Ribes] go to sleep yet. And these IMOCA Open 60s are just wonderful to steer, they are so well balanced, I just love it.”

Peter Becker on W-Hotels added: “I have five wonderful days of sailing and looking forward to more. The mood on board is great. Pachi is a great chef and we are all very motivated. You fall in love with these Open 60 boats in a heartbeat.”

Equally, the Spanish crews seem very content too. On Estrella Damm, Alex Pella said: “ We are doing 16-17 knots with a reef and the eased Solent. We are resting well. Now Pepe is in his bunk. I'm half asleep because I just woke up now. Stan is at the helm. We are well balanced and making good speed. Now I was looking at the situation to see which way to go. We are quite comfortable, just fine tuning and trimming as we go.”

Toño Piris on W-Hotels said: “Pachi and Peter are running the boat now. I'm taking my turn in the bunk. We are slamminga along. As with Estrella Damm, we have a reef in the main and fine tuning and trimming. It's quite relaxed here for the moment. We tried to put up the bigger genoa this morning, but decided to drop it again. We are doing 15 to 16 knots of boatspeed and windspeed is 18-19 knots at 46 degrees, and our course angle is 80. The boat is slamming on the waves. You can hear the water running across the deck all the time. And our heel angle is 22 degrees.”

In the near future the seas are expected to build thanks to the long Atlantic fetch to the northeast and the increase in wind strength, and that may require the two teams to change their approach. The strategic options, such as they are, may then come when they start gybing downwind towards Gibraltar and up the home stretch towards Barcelona. Quotes:

Standings at 1300hrs GMT Tuesday

1 Estrella Damm (ESP), Ribes, Pella, Schreyer: 2012.6 miles to finish
2 W Hotels (ESP), Rivero, Pires, Becker: 2032.5 (+19.9 miles)