Will Sayer crosses line in Newport
The smallest boat in the OSTAR singlehanded transatlantic race has won the race overall. Will Sayer crossed the finish line in Newport yesterday in 16th place on the water to take the class win and the top spot overall in his Sigma 33c, Elmarleen.
The OSTAR site reports that it was a long night for Will as he spent hours stuck in a wind-less hole within sight of the finish line. thinks the race was not as hard as he had expected. Conditions in the North Atlantic were unusual for the time of year, with sustained periods of steady downwind sailing in a race which is traditionally spent sailing upwind.
Will’s campaign was a true Corinthian effort: He bought Elmarleen in 2001 as a floating wreck and spent five years rebuilding her. PBO published a five-page feature on Will, Elmarleen and the OSTAR race in our June issue. You can download the article for free by clicking on this link – Wreck to Transat Racer: Will Sayer’s OSTAR preparations
On the second night of the race, Will was forced to climb the rig to save his mast after a lower shroud broke, but his repair held for 3,000 miles.
You can follow the remaining boats on the Tracker and read the skippers’ blogs at blOgSTAR
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