OSTAR 2009, iniziata l’edizione 2009

[singlepic=2568,300,204,,left]OSTAR 2009 – Plymouth – Più di 30 scafi hanno preso il largo alle 12.30 di oggi per affrontare la luna traversata che da Plymouth conduce a Newport: 2800 miglia di una regata nota a tutti con il nome di OSTAR.

A dare il colpo di cannone che ha aperto la gara è stato S.A.R. Principe Filippo, Duca di Edimburgo, imbarcato a bordo del Vascello Reale, Galatea. Assieme a lui i solitari del Vendée Globe, Mike Golding e Dee Caffari, e Van Howells che prese parte alla prima edizione della OSTAR nel 1960.

Dopo mesi di preparazione, gli skipper, di età compresa tra i 18 e i 68 anni, si preparano ad affrontare forti venti di prua e l’ostilità della Corrente del Golfo, per non parlare del pericolo iceberg e della densa nebbia che li attende lungo la strada che li condurrà a destinazione.

Alla vigilia della prima notte in mare a condurre i giochi è Croisières Anne Casaneuve, della skipper francese Anne Casaneuve. Il trimarano della velista francese naviga velocissimo davanti a Light For the World di Reini Gelder e Okami di Jaques Bouchacourt. Dei 4 italiani in gara, 2 sono nelle prime posizioni: Roberto Westermann sul 40 piedi Spinning Wheel è quinto, Luca Zoccoli, skipper di In Direzione Ostinata e Contraria, sesto.

I progressi dei concorrenti possono essere seguiti tramite il sito della regata (http://www.ostar2009.com). Sullo stesso sarà possibile monitorare la situazione meteo mentre le opinioni dei velisti verranno postate sul blog http://www.blogstar.org.uk.

OSTAR 2009, THE RACE IS STARTED
[OSTAR 2009 Press Release] More than 30 competitors in OSTAR 2009 departed from Plymouth this afternoon (25th May) at 12.30pm on their 2,800 mile Atlantic crossing to Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

Crowds gathered to see H.R.H. The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T start the race from aboard the Trinity House vessel, Galatea. He was joined by yachting favourites Mike Golding, Dee Caffari and Val Howells (competitor in the first OSTAR in 1960), who all support the race which has been hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club for nearly 50 years.

After months of preparation and anticipation the skippers, ranging in age from 18 years to 68, will now face strong, prevailing winds, an adverse Gulf Stream, hazardous icebergs (south of the Sea of Labrador) and dense fog as they each battle to reach their destination.

With international competitors from Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, the USA and the United Kingdom, the whole world will be watching their progress.

Trackers have been fitted on each boat and their progress can be seen via the OSTAR 2009 race website (www.ostar2009.com). Regular news updates and weather forecasts will also be available. The skippers will be leaving regular blogs on popular website www.blogstar.org.uk.

David Southwood, Race Director of OSTAR 2009, commented: “It was a great honour to have our Patron H.R.H The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T starting the race. A huge crowd was out in Plymouth to show their support for the competitors. The OSTAR is one of the most exciting events in the yachting calendar and the Royal Western Yacht Club has worked hard to maintain its Corinthian roots. We now wish the competitors the best of luck in their crossing and we look forward to greeting them on the other side of the Atlantic.”

The guardship HMS Iron Duke was on station in Plymouth Sound which was packed with spectator boats patrolled by the Plymouth Lifeboat, a fire ship and RIBs from the Royal Navy. A famous classic sailing craft Corbeau des Mers from the Museum de la Resistance came over especially from Brittany (she carried men across the channel in 1940 to join De Gaulle’s Free French Army).

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