Supermaxi SHK Scallywag (HKG), skippered by David Witt, crossed the finish line outside St David's Lighthouse, Bermuda just before 10pm local time on Saturday 11 May, taking Line Honours in the 2019 Antigua Bermuda Race in an elapsed time of 3 days 08 hours 54 mins 21 seconds.
Antigua Bermuda Race Chairman, Les Crane gave the Scallywags a warm welcome, motoring out to meet the boat before their finish, and was on hand to provide the Goslings Dark 'n Stormys after the 17 Scallywag crew cleared customs.
SHK Scallywag crew: Skipper David Witt, Anemike Bes, Harry Bethwaite, Tom Clout, James Crampton, Nick Crones, Ferdinand Galetta, Kris Mark Galetta, Alex Gough, Phil Harmer, Jack Macartney, Matt Pearce, Ben Piggott, Trystan Seal, Miles Seddon, Lindsey Stead and Charlie Wyatt.
Scallywag was outside the record set last year by Stephen Murray Jr.'s Volvo 70 Warrior (2 days, 18 hours, 32 minutes and 48 seconds). SHK Scallywag's Australian skipper David Witt spoke about the 935 mile race dockside at the Customs House, shortly after finishing.
“The boys did great, but we are a bit disappointed we didn't get the record as the weather did not play our way,” commented Witt. “We sailed the boat really well and the boat is getting more reliable, and hopefully getting a bit quicker. We are looking forward to the rest of the year, before we have a crack at the Sydney Hobart Race.
“This race was a good length for a 100 footer. It gives us a chance to really stretch our legs, as most of the other races are 600 mile sprints. This has been a great lead up to the Transatlantic Race. It has been 25 years since I have been to Bermuda and I just found out that Ian Williams won the Gold Cup yesterday, so I might catch up with him at the Royal Bermuda YC tomorrow for a Dark 'n Stormy. I seem to remember having a few when I was here last time!”
Several yachts are expected to finish the Antigua Bermuda Race over the next 24 hours. At 0900 AST on Sunday 12 May, Afansay Isaev Maxi Weddell (RUS) was 223 miles from the finish line. Gilles Barbot's Volvo 60 Esprit de Corps IV (CAN) are just 14 miles astern of Weddell, 237 miles from the finish.
In the race for the win after IRC time correction, Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR), skippered by Andy Liss is estimated to be leading by eight hours, with 261 miles to go. Three yachts are having a very close battle for the podium after time correction. Kevin McLaughlin's x-55 Rye (USA) is 300 miles from the finish and estimated to be second under IRC. Just one hour behind Rye on corrected time is Peter Grueterich's xP-44 Xpatriate (USA), which has 323 mile to go. Morgan Watson and Meg Reilly's Pogo 12.50 Hermes II (CAN) is fourth after IRC time correction, with 304 miles to go and very much challenging for the podium.
In CSA Cruising, Carlo Falcone's 1938 79ft Alfred Mylne ketch Mariella (ANT) continues to impress. Mariella is estimated to be leading after time correction by five hours from Pata Negra and Hermes II.
Track the fleet: All yachts are fitted with YB Trackers. Follow the front runners, an individual boat or the whole fleet via the website at: http://yb.tl/a2b2019
– Louay Habib
