Yesterday, Bella Mente Racing took off on the Around the Island Race as part of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Bicentenary International Regatta. The team, led by owner/driver Hap Fauth, finished the circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight (UK) in just over four hours and 30 minutes, taking third place on corrected time in IRC 1.
Photo Credit: Tim Jeffreys Photography 2015
“It was a beautiful but chilly day for the famous ‘Around the Isle of Wight’ race,” said Bella Mente Racing’s Crew Boss Mike Sanderson. “We raced the traditional America’s Cup clockwise around the island, which is a less common way to race these days.
“We kicked off the race with a downwind start, which was challenging but fun. Jethou got a little jump on us off the start, but with some very nice sailing we were able to grind them down and beat them around the bottom of the island. From there, we never really gave them much of an opportunity to get back in front. However, it did turn out to be a smaller boat day and we came in third place, on corrected time, behind a couple of well-sailed TP52s. All in all, it was a great day, with solid crew work and great communication when it came decision-making time.
“It looks to be the end of our breezy sailing for the week, so it’s time to change gears for much more moderate breeze today and tomorrow.”
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