Franco Niggeler's Swiss Cookson 50 Kuka3, skippered by Roberto Chuny Bermúdez de Castro has been announced as the overall winner of the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race.
Franco Niggeler's Cookson 50 Kuka3 lift the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy after setting the best time after IRC correction © RORC/Arthur Daniel
Franco Niggeler was presented with the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy by Grenadian Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, M.P. at a ceremony held at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada. Whilst several yachts are still racing, none of them can beat the time set by Kuka3 after IRC time correction.
"This was my first Atlantic crossing and it could not have been better than this," commented Franco Niggeler. "Grenada is a beautiful island with beautiful people, and we can't be happier. It is a wonderful race, well organised by RORC, and not forgetting Calero Marinas - Marina Lanzarote; and a big thank you to my team."
Grenadian Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, M.P. presents Franco Niggeler and some of his Cookson 50 Kuka3 crew with the magnificent RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy at the prize giving. L: Eddie Warden Owen, RORC CEO © RORC/Arthur Daniel
RORC Chief Executive Officer, Eddie Warden Owen welcomed special guests; Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Chairman GTA Board Directors, Mrs. Brenda Hood. GTA Manager, Nautical Development, Mrs. Nikoyan Roberts and Mrs. Chinel Sandy from the Grenada Tourism Authority.
"A pure spicy welcome to Grenada," commented Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen to the assembled crews. "Thank you to Eddie Warden Owen and his RORC team and the Camper & Nicholson team for giving all the assistance they can. On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, it is an honour to welcome you with our warmth, our friendly smiles, and we encourage you all to spread the word around about your experience. Thank you for coming and God Bless."
2018 RORC Transatlantic Race - Interviews after the finish in Grenada of Cookson 50 Kuka3: Franco Niggeler + Skipper, Chuny Bermudez © RORC/ Louay Habib/ PicturesofGrenada.com
Catherine Pourre's Class40 Eärendil, with crew members Gery Atkins and Pietro Luciana were presented with a RORC Decanter for the team's victory in the Class40 Division -Eärendil took Class40 line honours and completed the race in just over 13days 16hrs © RORC/Arthur Daniel
French/Finish team on Stephane Bry's Class40 Sirius completed the race in 16 days 08hrs 33mins 26secs, just in time for the prize giving party. L: Eddie Warden Owen, RORC CEO, Ari Kaensaekoski, Grenadian Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, M.P., Stephane Bry, Philippe Magliulo, Jan Paukkunen © RORC/Arthur Daniel
Catherine Pourre's Eärendil was presented with a RORC Decanter for the team's victory in the Class40 Division. Stephane Bry's Class40 Sirius finished the race right on cue as the prize giving started and was presented with a basket of Grenadian goods by Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen.
Competitors and honoured guests enjoyed a drinks reception followed by a Caribbean buffet at The Victory Bar & Restaurant in Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.
Three yachts are still to complete the RORC Transatlantic Race, with two finishers expected in Grenada today, Tuesday 11 December: Trevor Middleton's Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep had 13.8nm to run and Arto Linnervuo's Xp-44 Xtra Staerk 31.3nm AT 0900 UTC. The First 47.7 Kali, owned by the Swiss Ocean Racing Club and skippered by Corinne Wirth who is taking part in her fourth transatlantic race, but first as skipper, are 364.9nm from the finish line.
Race Results: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/results/2018-results.html
To follow the boats still racing, please go to: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/tracking/2018-fleet-tracking.html
