24 September 2011
Under 24 hours to the Global Ocean Race start
With under 24 hours until the start of the double-handed, Class40 Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR), there is a general atmosphere of calm around the boats moored stern-to at the GOR Race Village in Palma, Mallorca, as the six teams make final preparations for Leg 1 to Cape Town, South Africa.
After a fortnight of clear blue skies over Palma, torrential rain on Saturday morning rendered any work on the fleet of Class40’s impractical and many teams retired to bars near the Race Village to watch the New Zealand – France game in the Rugby World Cup, returning to their boats shortly after midday.
On Sunday morning, Father Miralles from the San Sebatián Church will bless the GOR fleet before the six boats head out into Palma Bay at 11:00 local time. The start at 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT) is being jointly organised by the GOR and the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) and includes a short, triangular course before the fleet sails out of the bay.
During the past two days, Yellowbrick trackers were fitted to the six Class40’s and have now been synchronised with the GOR’s Geovoile Race Viewer to provide position, speed and heading data for each yacht every three hours; information that will be sent simultaneously to the six teams at sea.
Sec. Hayai joins the GOR fleet in Palma - Photos Jesus Renedo. See the gallery here.
For more information, please go to globaloceanrace.com.
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