Transatlantic Race 2011 Start!June 30, 2011 Yesterday afternoon, the Maltese Falcon departed from Newport, RI, USA and began the magnificent Transatlantic Race 2011 under partly cloudy skies and perfect 20-25 knot winds. The race, held only once every five years, is one of the world’s premiere sailing events and we are thrilled to be a part of it. You can track our progress during the race on the race’s website, www.transatlanticrace.org. Hundreds of yachts and spectators on shore turned out to watch the start. The race participants are starting during three different days: June 26th, June 29th, and July 3rd. The slower yachts begin first and the faster yachts begin last, so theoretically everyone should cross the finish line in England around the same time. The Falcon started as part of the second group, as she is faster than the smaller yachts but certainly can’t keep up with the thoroughbred racers such as Rambler 100 and ICAP Leopard. We are in the “Open” class against the bright-orange Phaedo, a 66’ Gunboat catamaran. Although we have a much longer waterline than Phaedo, she is a fantastic speed machine and the two boats seem pretty evenly matched thus far. At 289’, the Falcon is much more than double the length of the next largest yacht in the fleet. While most of the yacht crews will be eating freeze-dried food and donning foul weather gear to protect themselves from the elements, the Falcon’s crew is living in luxury in a completely dry, climate-controlled environment with all the comforts of home. Wish us luck as we begin our 3,000nm journey! Jeremy SmithDeckhand
