IRC & Multihull Fleets Start tomorrow at 2pm ET
6 teams started the Pineapple Cup – Montego Bay Race at 11:05 ET today under cloudy skies in 20 knot southerly with 5-7 foot swells. The Class40 Dragon was first across followed closely by Senara and Sin Duda! Over 100 sailors from 13 countries including Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup champions are taking part in this 34th edition of the 811-nautical mile race. Tracking will update every 30 minutes at: http://pineapplecup.com. The IRC and Multihull fleets start tomorrow at 2pm ET.
Nigel Knowles, Commodore of the Montego Bay Yacht Club “Because we have a two start race, I’m thrilled to be able to see the first start and then be a participant in the second start tomorrow. To have 13 countries competing alongside the number of Jamaicans including the team [Conviction] from Royal Jamaica Yacht Club and my yacht club is fantastic. I am very much looking forward to seeing all the teams in Jamaica as we give them our world famous Montego Bay Yacht Club welcome.”
Hugh Piggin, Race Director, “The teams are off on a screaming reach through the Gulf Stream for the next six hours…it’s going to be fast and wet. The big question mark is the passage of the front sitting just off the Florida coast and when it will overtake the fleet. Once the front passes, there will be a transition period to westerly winds the teams will have to deal with.”