Spirit of Helsinki – FINLAND – and Neptune – FRANCE – across the Line in McIntyre Ocean Globe
Maiden ETA 17:00 16th April – Can they grab Overall Race IRC Gold!!
- Spirit of Helsinki FI (71) crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes at 23:37 UTC 14th April after 40 days at sea and 6656 nm sailed. The Swan 651 took 3rd in line honours, a provisional 4th in IRC and 1st in Sayula Class for Leg 4.
- Neptune FR (56) fourth across the line at 21:37 UTC. Provisional 3rd in IRC for Leg 4 after 41 days at sea. Parkinson’s sufferer Bertrand Delhom completes his dream and spreads inspiration worldwide.
- Clockwatching Time!!! Who will take the Overall IRC race Gold?? The battle is between Spirit of Helsinki, Maiden UK (03) and Triana FR (66). Maiden’s ETA 14:00 UTC 16th April MAY put them 13 hours ahead of Spirit of Helsinki on the IRC Overall Leaderboard. Triana, who has 950 nm to go, must cross the finish line by mid-afternoon 22nd of April to maintain 1st position ahead of Maiden. Too Exciting. It’s anyone’s call!!
The crew of the former Whitbread yacht, Spirit of Helsinki FR (71), were greeted by cheering Finnish family and fans on the Trinity Landing pontoon, Cowes after successfully completing Leg 4 of the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race in 40 days. Skipper Jussi Paavoseppä and 12 crew, decked out in their distinctive lemon foulies and sporting some very 1973-style mustaches, were beaming as they hugged their cheering supporters.
The competitive team racing onboard the Swan 651, known as Frazer Finland in the 1985 Whitbread, ranked third in line honours and a provisional 4th in IRC for leg 4. They were also in the running to take Overall IRC for the race but Maiden’s latest ASSUMED ETA could potentially put Spirit of Helsinki 13 hours behind Maiden for Overall IRC rankings.
Spirit of Helsinki and Maiden have had a longstanding friendly rivalry, match-racing each other, particularly over the last two legs, at times within sight of each other. It’s fitting that the two should now be battling it out on the leaderboard, just hours separating the crucial result. All will become clearer in the next 24hrs.
Maiden’s ETA of 14:00 UTC 16th April is realistic, with current winds, but it did look like it could be in jeopardy when they tweeted about a damaged foil. But things now look back on track.
“Foil fixed(ish)! Kite capabilities restored! Hoping 2 be there for lunch! Flying to Cowes, YEEEEHAW.” tweeted Maiden.
It’s then all down to Triana, to hang onto the coveted IRC leaderboard first spot. With 950 nm to race they need to cross the finish line by mid-afternoon on 22nd April to maintain their Overall IRC lead. So, at the time of writing, if Maiden arrives by 14:00 UTC on the 16th April, they will overtake Spirit of Helsinki by about 13 hours. And, if Triana arrives later than say 12:00 UTC on 22nd April, Maiden may be crowned Overall IRC leader of the 2023 McIntyre Ocean Globe!!
This leg has proved very challenging for the crew on Triana, who are not used to going slow.
“True wind direction 53 deg. Bearing to finish, about the same. Oh well.” tweeted Triana.
It’s nail-biting, tense and fascinating to watch and sailing fans couldn’t ask for more!
This rivalry and comradery are exactly what the OGR crews signed up for and are egged on by. Skipper and father of three, Jussi Paavoseppä, spoke about his desire to win, but also how the OGR is way more than just ‘a race’.
