Archipelago Raid - Day 2

Only one leg was possible today in the Archipelago Raid © ThMartinez / Sea&Co / www.thmartinez.com

One leg is enough for day 2

Only one leg was raced today in the Archipelago Raid 2009. Poor wind conditions this afternoon prompted the organisers to decide on a 1600 CET cut-off time for the start of the next leg. The last boat in the fleet hadn't finished leg 2 by 1500, the wind still wasn't good enough for the boats to head north of the Åland archipelago, so the teams were able to spend the afternoon relaxing at local headquarters.

After 2 legs the standings couldn’t be closer. Audio Network (William Sunnucks/Simon Farren) is leading after a win and a second with 56 points. Hållsten-Torlen (Martin Hållsten/Kalle Torlen) are second with 54 points thanks to their win in today's single leg. Teams Garmin and Citus are joint 3rd with 51 points apiece, with Thule only one point behind them. The Swedish team of Martin Strandberg and Johan Örtendahl had a bad day, placing 8th after having been second in the first leg yesterday.

A happy British crew of Sunnucks and Farren on board Team Audio Network emerged victorious in leg 1. The teams had to be towed from checkpoint 5 to headquarters Arsläjan due to there being no wind after 22.00 last night. Rudder problems were reported from the Italian team Black or White yesterday, but it proved to be nothing they couldn’t fix. Team FG Porsche suffered more severe damage, colliding with a rock in the dark. The daggerboard pierced the hull of the boat with the predictable result of the hull flooding. Disaster followed disaster as they narrowly avoided sinking while being towed, and they realised upon reaching Arsläjan that the damage was too serious to repair without professional help. The boat has been patched up, and is on its way to the mainland for professional repair. The lack of wind proved to be a blessing in disguise for the crews, as the too-calm conditions meant a few hours of extra sleep before a delayed restart at 0845 this morning, at which time the fleet began their crossing of Ålands Sea towards Ekerö from headquarters 1 at Arsläjan on Arholma. With a westerly breeze of 4 knots the teams got a light wind start. Shifty wind conditions caused race management to send the fleet directly towards Ekerö to sail the northerly route around Åland island towards Finland.

After six hours of sailing, team Hållsten-Torlén arrived first at Ekerö headquarters, Åland. The team says that their early preparations this morning gave them a good start and the crossing of Ålands Sea only consisted of two gybes and a little paddling in the light breeze. Team Audio Networks arrived second. Their efforts to read the wind to find the pressure over Ålands Sea paid off as they leapt from a starting position of sixth to second place at the finish. Team Thule went further north, ignoring the checkpoint in Enskär had been supressed, and they payed for their mistake, coming home in third. Team Audi Lewander/Thorslund finished in fourth place. The first teams don't seem too tired yet, but they are very much aware that this physically grueling and mentally challenging race has only just begun, and the crews were happy not to have had to race again this afternoon.

More information on the event website.