Helly Hansen

The four final legs - from Inverness in the north, to Portsmouth in the South - became a thrill. The three boats started in Scotland leading the RB4 class, and were first and second in the RB3 class. The two 36 P1 SuperSport was also 1st. and 3rd. overall when the fleet started on the east coast. The four final legs - from Inverness in the north to Portsmouth in the South - should become a thrill... Skilful piloting and excellent navigation had given Team Sealbay in the 29 RIB Tender a confident lead leaving Inverness. The well tested concept of the 29 RIB Tender never let them down the way up north, and should again prove outstanding throughout the rest of race. Pilot Fredrik have been owning an other 29 RIB for a couple of season, and knew exactly how much to push the boat without taking to large risks. This resulted in a in an outstanding 9th place overall, and first in class - 2 hours and 25 minutes ahead of their closest competitor. Well done guys! While the boys in the well tested 29 could concentrate fully on the piloting and navigation, the two teams in the new 36 had two technical challenges that kept them from going full throttle. First of all the Yanmar engine mounts had proven to be too weak for racing. (yes we knew that, but the modified brackets was not ready in time...) Secondly, the Bravo I stern drives became too delicate when the boats where loaded with dead weight of more than one ton. The three teams got new engine mounts before they started on the east cost, and that problem was now out of the world, but the stern drives kept causing GuttaBoyz and Lionhead a lot of worries. Unfortunately for GuttaBoyz, their problems came in the beginning of the legs, and that ruined their chances in the overall. Team Lionhead on their side, broke one of the stern drives twice, but being much closer to the finish line, they could finish the leg without loosing too much time. The two 36 P1 SuperSport took two out of four wins down the cost to Portsmouth. Team GuttaBoyz took a prestigious last win on the final stage. They crossed the finish 60 seconds behind the Buzzi Techno 40 with twin 750 SeaTech, but got an on hour penalty because their went one the wrong side of the last buoy. Team Lionhead was in for an exciting finish. After winning the second last stage, they were in second position (behind GuttaBoyz) on the last leg to Portsmouth when one stern drive broke down again! Going 30 knots+ with one hour the last 25 nautical miles, the toughest competitors was passing us on our way towards the finish line. Luckily we only lost 12 minutes of our 32 minute lead, and crossed finish first in class, second overall! It has been a memorable two weeks, with some outstanding results. We would like to than all the teams that made this event to what is was, and to all the fantastic people in the organizing comity making this possible. Helly Hansen is a proud partner to this project and has supported the teams with offshore apparel to keep them warm and safe in all conditions - in addition to provide the boats with special made canapies and upholstery. Congratulations!