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Bols super maxi breaks record in Denmark’s Sjaelland Rundt
Author: Marigold Thackray
Despite roughest conditions in years Bols super maxi smashes course record by 7 hours.
The Bols super maxi monohull has won Denmark's largest sailing competition, the Sjaelland Rundt, in a record-breaking time of 22 hours 10 minutes and 6 seconds. The previous record time was 29 hours 8 seconds.
The victory was won in the face of some of the harshest conditions in years. Of some 270 boats that started the race only 22 made it across the finishing line.
The Bols super maxi is the world's most modern monohull. Launched only one week ago, the 93 foot boat is the cornerstone of a global brand campaign by the world' oldest distiller Bols.
Starting on Friday evening at 6pm CET, the Bols super maxi spent the first half of the race battling winds in the 30-knot range. Conditions then deteriorated markedly forcing a change from full main sail to the use of smaller sails.
Facing 2 - 3 metre short steep seas the boat sped through winds as they reached gusting speeds of up to 40 knots. A world-class international crew of 24 worked relentlessly against violent waves in unpleasant conditions to maintain a charge of 12 knots for the first ten hours of the race.
At the half way stage as the boat turned the southern tip of Sjaelland to head north, the Bols supermaxi's speed picked up with an aft wind. From 14 knots, then 16, the Bols then hit its stride to average 18 - 20 knots to set its spinnaker for the final run to the finishing line.
After 22 hours the Bols super maxi crossed the finish line at a speed of 25 knots, flying past the town of Helsingor and setting a new record many believe will be hard to break.
Stefan Laux, global Bols brand group director said: "This was a very, very tough race and I have nothing but admiration for the crew of the Bols. The conditions were testing to say the least. Simply finishing this race was an achievement but to smash the course record by 7 hours is just staggering.
"This is the best start imaginable for the Bols in its bid to become the fastest boat in the world and break three world records: the 24 hour monohull record, the transatlantic record and the round the world monohull record.
"Now our eyes move north to Sweden where in six days time the Bols will take part in the Gotlund Rundt competition. After this fantastic result in Denmark, our spirits remain justifiably high."
More Information:
- www.bols.com
See also: ERICSON 34-2 for sale
