The Saint Maxime de Miguel Lago, the first boat to cross the finish line of the Baiona Angra Atlantic Race

Posted on by MRCYB

· The Monte Real Club de Yates boat was the fastest to complete the 865 miles of the first stage of the competition between Baiona and Angra do Heroismo

· The crew, skippered by Miguel Lago from Vigo, sailed at an average speed of 7.2 knots and spent 5 days, 13 hours and 43 minutes on their journey

· José Carlos Prista’s Xekmatt fought until the end to overtake Saint Maxime but finally crossed the finish line second some five hours later

The Saint Maxime of the Monte Real Yacht Club was the first boat to cross the finish line of the Baiona Angra Atlantic Race this morning, the ocean regatta that is being held these days in the Atlantic organized by the Monte Real Yacht Club and the Angra Iate Clube. The Galician crew was the fastest to complete the 865 miles of the first stage of the competition, which last Sunday set sail from the fishing village of Baiona towards the Azorean town of Angra do Heroismo.

According to the tracking system installed on board the ship, the Saint Maxime sailed at an average speed of 7.2 knots, reaching maximum speeds of 11.6 at times, and took 5 days, 13 hours and 43 minutes to complete the journey. This morning, at 2:43 Spanish time, he was the first to cross the finish line located on Isla Terceira and became the real-time winner of the first stage of the Baiona Angra Atlantic Race.

At the wheel of the ship, a 50-foot carbon Shipman designed by J&J Desing and assembled by José Miguel Roquette, was one of the great names of sailing in Galicia, Miguel Lago from Vigo. Winner of the 1st Discovery Route in 1984, the Tour of Europe and the Fasnet Race in 1993, three editions of the Sardinia Cup and as many Copas del Rey, this experienced trimmer now adds a new triumph to his extensive resume of nautical victories.

Along with him, completing the crew, three of his usual racing companions, Juan José Lago, Gerardo Alonso and Javier Lago, and two other outstanding sailors, Daniel Méndez and Guillermo Caamaño. A team of six that knew how to complement each other perfectly to place Saint Maxime at the head of the regatta at all times and cross the finish line in first position.

José Carlos Prista’s Xekmatt, from the Lisbon Naval Association was, without a doubt, another of the important boats in this first stage of the Baiona Angra Atlantic Race. This Portuguese team of family and friends, with more than ten years of experience in regattas and numerous victories in trophies such as the Prince of Asturias, the Atlantic Cup of Azores and several cruise championships in Portugal, sailed during the first days following practically the same course than the Saint Maxime, but in the final stretch they separated and had less luck than the Galicians. They crossed the finish line second about five hours after the first.

The rest of the fleet sailed somewhat further away from the first and quite grouped together. The Atlantis of the Liceo Marítimo de Bouzas, skippered by Iván Prieto, and with free software technology on board, led this group most of the time, sailing at an average speed of 5.9 knots and reaching 10 at times. Along with him, the Free Spirit of Yann Lascan, of the Real Club Marítimo de Abra; and Cleopatra by José Rafael Ribero, from the Recreational Nautical Association. Somewhat more detached was the crew of the smallest boat in the fleet, the Brumario, from the Ribeira Yacht Club, with Alejandro Pazó at the controls.

The Pakea Cadenote Uno, from the national sailing prize Unai Basurko, finally decided to abandon the first stage of the competition. After having suffered several technical problems that forced them to return to the peninsula and having to resume the regatta later, the crew decided to withdraw and start the engine to reach Angra do Heroismo on time and be able to complete the second stage, back to Baiona.

The Pakea thus joined the Moflete and the Txole, withdrawn from the test a few hours after starting due to various problems with the boat. The tenth boat entered in the regatta, Henril Olsson’s Dulcamara, did not set sail due to engine problems.

The awards ceremony for the first stage of the Baiona Angra Atlantic Race will be held next Wednesday at the Angra Iate Clube, and just one day later, on Thursday 14, the second stage will begin, between the Azores and Baiona.

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