Dubai: The frontrunners of the 22nd Dubai to Muscat Race passed Ras Al Khaimah on Sunday night and were approaching the Strait of Hormuz.
“I will never forget the start, it was a totally new experience racing past the Dubai skyscrapers in warm breeze and brilliant sunshine. Approaching nightfall, we had to make our first big tactical decision; inshore for land breeze or offshore for gradient wind. We tacked out and it looks to have paid off, as the gradient breeze from the north just about held and we kept moving but at times, only just. However, what a night, dolphins came to visit us and shooting stars and thousands of others were utterly amazing. I have never seen a night sky like it,” said Irish Cookson, 50, of Lee Overlay Partners.
Lee Overlay Partners were back up to full speed on Monday. Just before dawn, Cookson set out for the Strait of Hormuz. The breeze seemed to be picking up overall towards the strait and, with a boat speed in excess of 8 knots, the leaders were expected to enter the Indian Ocean section on Tuesday afternoon.
Lee Overalay Partners’ closest rival is the hi-tech XS35 catamaran, Blackwater, with a team from Southern California skippered by Matt Vukelich.
Meanwhile, the bulk of the competition opted to steer in-shore and was left to rue the decision. Doug and Claire Hassell’s First 44.7, Diablo, made great gains on the first day. At one point, the British team was ahead of Lee Overlay Partners. However, as the breeze faltered at dusk, Diablo’s progress slowed. Diablo is now some 10 miles behind Lee Overlay Partners on the water but racing under the IRC measurement system, Diablo is the leader after time correction.
DOSC Rear Commodore David Worrall racing First 36.7, Shahrazad, reported last night via Thuraya Satellite connection: “The wind has died inshore and, with about a knot of current against us, we had to put down our anchor, so that we would not go backwards. All we can do now is wait for the morning and hope that wind will arrive.”
