RACE START ANTWERP – NOTES

Unlike the same start in 2003 there was no bunching, class A Captains taking 
advantage of the 20 minute start window. Ships to leeward seeming to find less wind, 
including Sedov nipping the shore end of the start line. Lord Nelson, only racing since 
2001 crossing the line first in the van but unfortunately her competition in the van 
were the sisters Khersones and Mir. Both ships with new Captains so that the two 
front runners were having their own little match race and were away over the horizon. 
Artemis, racing for the first time found the mighty Kruzenshtern behind her, the heel 
on the smaller Dutch barque contrasting with the upright solemnity of the big Russian.  
And to windward of her was Kapitan Glowacki, probably the smallest class A in the 
fleet finding the second largest also chasing her tail. And in the midst of this field of 
modern tall ships was Shtandart, looking like  timeslip from a previous era and rather 
alone as lightening winds spread the fleet. Asgard II was, rather surprisingly, at the 
back of the fleet. And a yellow TV helicopter so keen for the best shot that she 
seemed in peril of melding with the rig of Prince William and the other vessels she 
was filming.

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© MAX 2004