Multi70 Oman Sail/Musandam break Round Britain and Ireland multihull race record (awaiting ratification by the WSSRC)

 From the following article by RORC:

http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/newsblogsphotos/press-releases/326-an-extraordinary-series-of-events.html

Sidney Gavignet and the crew of Musandam-Oman Sail, a MOD70 trimaran crossed the finish line of the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race off the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, at 12.42.36 BST on Thursday 14th August 2014.

This is an elapsed time of 3 days, 3 hours, 32 minutes, 36 seconds and, subject to ratification by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, a new Outright World Record for the Round Britain and Ireland course and a new race record for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.

It was almost unthinkable that a 70ft trimaran, with no ability to decide when to start, could defeat a 140ft trimaran that had decided exactly when to set off. However a fantastic boat, a perfect performance and an extraordinary series of coincidences lined up to make the impossible a reality.

read more here

Multi70 Oman Sail/Musandam in full flight, photo Mark Lloyd/Oman Sail

Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland yacht race update

After a start in ideal conditions the Multi70 Musandam/Oman Sail has powered up the coast of the UK and is now approaching Muckle Flugga the northernmost turning point of the race in the North Sea.  They are currently 2 hours ahead of the record time set by the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V.

More details in the latest RORC press release:

http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/newsblogsphotos/press-releases/295-record-pace-at-muckle-flugga.html

and a good video showing the start of the race:

Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race set to get underway

This RORC event is a perpetual favourite and a strong fleet have returned to contest the race this year:

The race website:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/

The race tracker:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/tracking.html

Due to the prevailing weather conditions they have decided that the race direction will be reversed and will now be anticlockwise.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=125410&SRCID=0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0

In the Multihulls Damien Foxall of Oman Sail/Musandam are hoping to break the race record which is currently held by the Maxi trimaran BP5 at 3 days, 3 hours, 49 minutes, 14 seconds.

http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/newsblogsphotos/press-releases/267-as-tough-as-it-gets.html

Artemis Challenge, Prince de Bretagne Maxi 80 first home after a closely fought battle with Musandam/Oman Sail MOD70

From the following article on the Artemis Challenge website:

http://www.artemischallenge.com/news/view/sailings_top_pros_rising_stars_and_royalty_compete_in_the_eight_artemis_cha

Some of the hottest professional names in sailing and the sport’s rising stars jostled for position alongside royalty, rugby and rock ‘n’ roll stars in the Artemis Challenge – the 50-mile race around the Isle of Wight (Thursday, 7th August).

The eighth edition of the Artemis Challenge, that first took place in 2007, has become a ‘stand-out’ event of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and adding a touch of glamour, as well as their sporting prowess, were Zara Phillips, Mike Tindall and Simon and Yasmin Le Bon.

Six ocean-going racing machines competed in today’s 2014 Artemis Challenge and the calibre of sailing talent was impressive – Volvo Ocean Race skippers Samantha Davies, Team SCA; Charles Caudrelier, Dongfeng Race Team; two time Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing; alongside ocean racing masters that included multiple round the world record holder Brian Thompson, Artemis Ocean Racing; Damian Foxall, skipper Musandam Oman Sail and Lionel Lemonchois, Prince de Bretagne. And alongside eight 33-foot Bénéteau Figaro IIs lined up carrying the next generation of offshore sailing talent racing including Sam Goodchild, Jack Bouttell, Sam Matson and French Figaro skipper Charlie Dalin – who in future years hope to emulate their sailing heroes.

read more here

 

A highlights video has also been released:

Transat Jacques Vabre update, MOD70 Oman Air has finished in Itajai

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/oman-air-musandam-second-itajai

Sidney Gavignet (FRA) and Damian Foxall (IRL) on the MOD70 Oman Air – Musandam crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre finish line off Itajai, Brasil at 20h 04m 09 sec local time (22h 04m 09 secs) 5 hrs and 15 seconds after the winner Edmond de Rothschild (Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier). The duo took 11 days 10 hours 04mins and 09 seconds to complete the 5,450 miles (theoretical course) between Le Havre and Itajaí, at an average speed of 19.71 kts. They actually sailed 5968 miles at an average of 21.77 kts.

This transatlantic race for the MOD70s was characterised by a fast, relatively testing exit of the English Channel followed after the Bay of Biscay by a difficult passage of Cape Finisterre in big seas and building winds – which skipper Gavignet later described as the worst he had seen on a MOD70 – before escaping into the Portuguese Trade Winds allowed an initial break by Edmond de Rothschild.

The two MOD70s closed up after the Doldrums and Oman Air – Musandam were less than 30 miles behind on Saturday night before they dropped off the back of the cold front there.

read more here

RORC Fastnet Race 2013, Oman Sail/Musandam MOD70 first ever Omani team to compete in Fastnet Race

Damien Foxall and Dee Caffari who will be part of the crew for the RORC Fastnet Race 2013 on the Oman Sail/Musandam MOD70 discuss sailing on the trimaran and the ongoing appeal of the Fastnet Race for competitors.