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Stamm wins Around Alone first leg
TORBAY, England -- Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm has won the first leg of the Around Alone race. He crossed the finish line at Torbay just after 14.30 GMT on Thursday, having started from New York harbour on September 15. He completed the 2,930 miles in 10 days 22 hours 33 minutes 38 seconds. The leg victory gives Stamm, sailing the Pierre Rolland-designed Open 60 Bobst Group Armor Lux, 10 points as the Class 1 winner. As he sailed into port, Stamm threw up his arms and smiled broadly at the applauding crowds. Stamm's time also gave him a new solo monohull transatlantic record when he passed Lizard Point off the southwest coast of England at 07:42:22 GMT.
His official time for the crossing from Ambrose Point to Lizard Point is still to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, but his unofficial time was 10 days, 11 hours, 57 minutes and 19 seconds from Ambrose Light. Last year he broke the crewed transatlantic record on the same boat, which was just 38 hours less at 8 days, 20 hours and 55 minutes.
"I am very excited to hold a new record and to win this first leg of the Around Alone race. My team and I have been preparing the boat for the last year and the hard work has paid off," he said. Stamm lost all power from the on-board electrics two days ago, forcing him to hand steer for the remainder of the trip. "I am very tired from steering my boat by hand and looking forward to getting some rest, but now I am too excited to sleep. Maybe later." Second place was taken by Thierry Dubois sailing Solidaires. He was awarded just one point less than Stamm. The race is run on a point system so time difference means nothing to the competitors. The remaining yachts are expected to finish on Saturday.
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