Warrior Impresses On Day 2 Start Of 2017 A2N Race

From the Annapolis Yacht Club: A large spectator fleet turned out on the Chesapeake Bay Friday morning for the second start of the 2017 Annapolis to Newport Race.

Vessels of all types, shapes, and sizes — 16 in all — congregated at both ends of the starting line and they were treated to an impressive display of size and power when the Volvo 70 Warrior raised its massive asymmetrical spinnaker and launched off the line on starboard tack.

Skipper Stephen Murray was at the helm of the high-tech racing machine and patiently picked his way through the fleet, most of which started on port.

By the time Warrior gybed and came back toward the Eastern Shore, it was well clear of the entire fleet and Murray no longer needed to worry about right of way issues. The Volvo 70 executed its first gybe just shy of Thomas Point Lighthouse and reached all the way to the mouth of Eastern Bay before having to gybe again.

“It was a smooth start with no issues, other than a few spectator boats got yelled at,” said Bruce Bingman, the Principal Race Officer who was stationed aboard the main committee boat Promesa, a Nordhaven 63 owned by Annapolis Yacht Club member Jose Fuentes.

Kodiak, a Reichel-Pugh 66-footer skippered by Lloyd Ecclestone, led the port tack starters off the line near the pin end boat Road Trip, a North Pacific 42 owned by Annapolis Yacht Club Race Committee Chairwoman Sandy Grosvenor and husband Mark Murphy.

Warrior had designs on breaking the course record of 42 hours, 58 minutes and 12 seconds, set by the Farr 60 Carrera in the 2001 A2N. At approximately 3:19 a.m. Monday, Warrior indeed crossed the finish line in record time, completing the race in just over 40 hours.

Photo courtesy of the Annapolis Yacht Club