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 to a competitive group smaller boats including three J/24s. Sailing a J/24 round the notorious North Point is a challenge, but one that Team College Funds took in their stride. Skippered by Laser sailor Jason Tindale (25) and crewed by a team of youth sailors, they were once again noted for their impressive performance. They sailed a tactically good race, completed the course in 8 hours, 37 minutes, 26 seconds, and were delighted to have broken the record they established last year by 18 minutes. Tindale commented, “We are so happy to have skimmed some time off last year. But I have to say last year was a walk in the park compared to this one. We had about 22 knots of wind with a three-metre swell off North Point, which is not comfortable on a J/24 but we got through it. The racing was great, and we particularly enjoyed out battle with Whistler (a J/105), which got a bit hairy rounding Needhams Point towards the finish. Now looking forward to collecting our hoard of rum!” Equally impressive was the Singlehanded record, broken by fellow J/24 sailor Cecil Lecrenay on Bunga-Bunga. He completed the course in 9 hours, 46 minutes, 42 seconds. For complete event information, visit http://mountgayrumroundbarbadosrace.com.
International Class Association
