Rolex Transatlantic Challenge

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The Rolex Transatlantic Challenge was a 2005 transatlantic regatta between New York and the Isle of Wight in England for large sailing yachts with a length of 70 feet or more . As planned, the world's oldest sailing record was broken.

Occasion: Centenary record

The occasion was the centenary of the Kaiser's Cup , initiated by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1905 and won by the Scottish America's Cup veteran Charlie Barr with the almost 57 meter long schooner Atlantic (owner: Wilson Marshall), setting a transatlantic record for monohulls Sailing between New York and the English Southwest Point ( Lizard Point ) set up (12 days, 4 hours, 1 min, 19 sec). In the decades that followed, the record for this route was improved several times, including with monohulls . However, the newer records were not reached during regattas, rather the record sailors waited for favorable weather. The Atlantic regatta record, on the other hand, has remained unchanged since 1905 and was considered the oldest sailing record in the world.

The regatta 2005

The course of the Transatlantic Challenge led from New York (starting May 21) across the North Atlantic , past the twin lighthouses of The Lizard off the English coast, where the record distance ends, and on through the English Channel to a second finish line off the Isle of Wight . During the race, the current positions of the yachts could be followed on the website of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC).

The favorite American yacht Mari-Cha IV won and improved the 100-year-old record for a regatta trip on a monohull from New York to Lizard Point by more than two days: The 42.6 meter long two-master of the British one needed for the 2925 nautical miles across the Atlantic Owner and billionaire Robert Warren Miller at an average speed of 12.61 knots for 9 days, 15 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds.

The regatta was hosted by the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) and the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) and sponsored by the watch manufacturer Rolex .

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Andreas Kling: Chasing an Eternal Record . In: Die Welt , May 14, 2005.
  2. ^ The Rolex Transatlantic Challenge 2005 . regattanews.com, May 9, 2005; Retrieved February 16, 2011