On November 25, the starting shot for the anniversary regatt of the North German Regatt Association will be given, and this will mark the beginning of an eight-month transatlantic adventure for most of the participants. On the occasion of its 150th anniversary in 2018, the association is reviving the myth of the Atlantic in cooperation with the Yacht Club CostSmerald (YCCS), which turned 50 this year.
The first part of the AAR - also called AAR Westbound - includes the annual "RORC Transatlantic Race" of the Royal Ocean Racing Club from England and leads the crews of the anniversary regatt initially from Lanzarote across the South Atlantic to Grenadin in the Caribbean. Originally, Virgin Gordin was the destination of the British Virgin Islands, where the YCCS has its own clubhouse. However, this was so badly affected by the hurricanes that it had to be dispatched to Grenadum.
Over the winter season, the participating crews have the opportunity to take part in various Caribbean regattas before they head back to Hamburg.
In the summer of 2018, the main part of the regatta begins with the starting signal for the AAR Eastbound, which will lead the yachts from Bermuda across the North Atlantic past Point Lizard (England) to the mouth of the Elbe. After the DCNAC 2003 and the HSH Nordbank Blue Race 2007, another Atlantic regatta organized by the NRV will find its destination in front of Cuxhaven.
The routes of round-trip regatta
The participants are not allowed to regatta as far as Hamburg, your yachts have been found to be too big for the sometimes narrow waters of the Elbe. So it goes in a squadron trip to the Hanseatic city, where the fleet will moor in the Hafencity not far from the Elbphilharmonie. The welcome party is also celebrated there.
Colorfully mixed field of participants
The field of participants of the AAR with currently 31 yachts, including more than 20 German teams, is not only larger than for the HSH Nordbank Blue Race (22 yachts), but also particularly diverse. The largest participant so far is the supermaxi "CQS" from sailing legend Ludde Ingvall, equipped with a DSS board and canting keel. At an impressive 98 feet, "CQS" is a full ten feet longer than the next largest yacht, the "Rambler 88". The latter, however, should have a say in the prestigious race for the title "First Ship Home". "Rambler 88" is significantly younger than "CQS", and it wouldn't be the first time the silver-gray Juan-K construction has left a 100 foot in the wake.
The Open 60 "Malizia"
Boris Herrmann will also contest the back regatta with his Open 60 "Malizia" and will also take three other crew members from Hamburg on board: "We want to win and be the first to moor in Hamburg," said the three-time circumnavigator - considering the bigger and faster competition ambitious goal.
The "Outsider" crew of Admiral's Cup legend Tilmar Hansen is also among the participants. "We are now in the twelfth season. Initially there was a lot of refit work on the program," says boatswain Bo Teichmann. The crew feels well equipped and trusts the all-round potential of the Elliott canting keel construction. For Hansen and his "Outsider" crew, the AAR is already the third Atlantic crossing on the "Outsider".
The preparation in the team of NRV member Jens Kellinghusen's "VarunVI" is just as meticulous. The owner had commissioned the matt black yacht with the distinctive daggerboards from designer Jason Ker especially for the Atlantic Anniversary Regatt. The team on "Varuna" is one of the most ambitious crews of this year's edition. Like its predecessors, the yacht is virtually on a non-stop trip around the globe to take part in ocean regattas around the world. Transatlantic, Transpacific, Rolex Sydney Hobart or Rolex Fastnet Race - the "Varuna" crew is literally up to scratch.
Mathias Müller von Blumencron competes with his Class 40 "Red" and three other crew members and has been preparing for the outward regatt for six months
But not only uncompromising racing yachts take part in the AAR. Family crews such as the "Lunatix" crew around Heinke and Friedrich Böhnert are also looking for the transatlantic adventure. With their XP-50, the Böhnerts want to sail the one-way regatta and then set off for Australia as part of the World ARC.
The overall ranking is won by the crew with the best placement from the outward and return regatta.
www.anniversary-regatta.com