Records demolished at Mount Gay Round Barbados Race
Big winds, big speeds and the fastest times ever recorded made the 80th anniversary Mount Gay Round Barbados Race, one of the most spectacular in history with a total of five records broken, and each team winning their skipper’s weight in rum.
Racing was over staggered starts commencing at 0700 with a good mix of yachts ranging from Classics including the stunning duo The Blue Peter and Galatea; Ruth, a locally built 33m schooner, and a competitive group of smaller boats including three J/24s. However, the stars of the show that set off last and raced 60nm round the island neck and neck were undoubtedly the two world-class MOD70s – MS Barbados Concise 10, skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, and Phaedo3 co skippered by Lloyd Thornburg and Brian Thompson. They promised to thrill, and indeed they did.
Right from the start in the 20+kt breeze, there was no stopping these powerful beasts as they took off from Carlisle Bay and circumnavigated the island in the fastest ever speeds with MS Barbados Concise 10 claiming victory by just 12 seconds. They completed the course in a staggering 2h 37m 38s, shaving just under two hours off the previous Multihull record.
An elated Collier Wakefield commented: “Racing two MOD70s round the island, essentially match racing was just awesome. It is something we have been working so hard for, and really putting in the hours, so to get the record is absolutely amazing. With 22kts of wind and 37kts of boat speed flying a hull downwind, it was full on all the way.”
Lloyd Thornburg, co skipper of Phaedo3, added: “It was a great race but after sailing 60 miles flat out it was a tiring one. Well done MS Barbados Concise 10.”
See Full report in April All At Sea.
