Line honours for Team Basilica in Loch Ness Monster Race
by Becky Hayes 27 Aug 2007 14:55 BST
25 August 2007
Team Basilica overcame challenging conditions to take line honours in the Loch Ness Monster Race today, sailing past the finish line over forty minutes ahead of the pack with its closest contender the Tornado out of sight. The Team which included Scottish sailing legend Mike McIntyre and Americas Cup Sailor David Carr, James Grant, Nick Houch and James George, battled the persistently changing weather conditions to come in fourth place overall. The Extreme 40 was a spectacular sight as it took advantage of intermittent winds to reach over twenty eight knots, flying a hull against the dramatic Loch Ness backdrop.
With an all-star crew of sailors and one of the fastest boats in the world, Team Basilica was always on course to take the limelight but with low visibility and minimal wind and rain, the day didn’t begin well. An hour of little or no wind at the start of the race made it impossible for Basilica to win on its handicap, but conditions improved and as the day progressed the sun came out and the wind picked up. Basilica reached the windward mark at Fort Augustus after three hours of stop start sailing but the crew managed to push the boat to speeds of over twenty five knots against the wind.
On the return journey with miles of water in between Basilica and the rest of the field, the Team showed spectators what it was made of, flying down the centre of Loch Ness with the sun behind it. A succession of gusts led to a few knife edge moments but the crew maintained control and crossed the line at 15.53, finishing the fifty mile course in four hours and thirty three minutes.
Team Basilica’s Loch Ness Monster Race Helmsman, Mike McIntyre commented; “It was fantastic fun but very hard work. The wind was very up and down and we had everything from flat calm to thirty knot winds as well as the constantly shifting wind to contend with. The crew sailed extremely well as a team despite having never sailed together before.”
Team Basilica Skipper, James Grant commented; It was a fantastic race to be part of and Loch Ness is an amazing environment to sail in. It was a tough day and the crew were absolutely outstanding all the way to the finish.”
Team Basilica are currently leading the iShares Cup with the final leg being held in Amsterdam from 14th – 16th September.