Downwind start at 05:10 in the morning in good windspeed and the F18 flying over the waves: that’s the raid. Team Blue made the best start off Ekerö on the right side of the line near the Comitee boat, closely followed by Audi and Garmin. Audio Network and the Nieminen Brothers onboard Ursuit made it right with good speed. Further right Swe 43 reached tremendous speed. While most of the fleet was flying in 20 knots, the Finnish-Kiwi boat Bohica was unfortunately dismasted in the middle of the course, but managed to get back on track. A few minutes later Audi capzized and lost the gains they made on the start.
At the first 3 minutes Check Point on Degersand beach Garmin took the lead, followed by Thule, Audio Network, Blue Marine and Swe 43. The 3 minutes checkpoint is nerve breaking for the sailors who have to stop for only 180 seconds before running back to their catamarans.

Date: 2009-08-19 06:03:38

Tags: Archipelago Raid, F18, The Blue Climate and Oceans Project