2004 Global Challenge - Barclays Adventurer First Over The Line By 15 Minutes!: 2nm Separated 1st And 2nd At The Line After 6200nm Of Racing

After an incredible head to head battle with the oldest skipper in the fleet, the youngest skipper, Stuart Jackson, and his crew aboard Barclays Adventurer crossed the line in 1st place this morning to win the 6200nm leg from Portsmouth to Buenos Aires at 0923:00 GMT.

The crew of "Barclays Adventurer" hold the first place trophy aloft. Photo © OnEdition

Amazingly, after 33 days of non-stop racing through the whole gamut of conditions, from dead calm to raging storms, VAIO crossed the line 15 minutes and 18 seconds later at 0938:18.

After a hugely competitive leg, such a narrow margin between 1st and 2nd over the line is a fitting result.

After the start off Southsea Castle in Portsmouth, UK, Barclays Adventurer left the Solent past the Needles and into the teeth of a gale. Apart from suffering badly from seasickness onboard, the biggest problem experienced was the loss of 6 weeks supply of sun cream rations on Day 2.

Technically, they have mentioned few issues, they had the inevitable watermaker problems on day 3, but they had it licked by Day 4, to the crew's obvious relief!

In the second rough weather patch on day 6, off Portugal, they reported the lightning storm, but escaped being hit. By Day 8 they were in sight of Team Stelmar and pulling away, although they dropped down to 7th during the east/west fleet split through the Canaries, whilst making what proved to be a decisive move out west.

By Day 11 the yacht was in fairer weather, with the two watches, Baywatch and Crimewatch, reporting sightings of dolphins, squid and a turtle. By now they were reeling in the leading trio. However, by Day 13, they reported they were 'feeling the heat' as they approached tropical latitudes.

However, they never took their eye off the ball, and by Day 16 they reported that 'we have Samsung on the radar', and then they moved into 1st place. Their celebrations were short lived as they hit the doldrums and dropped down into 3rd place on Day 19. Two days later they crossed the Equator, reporting "Spirits are high and the yacht is moving well". It took them four more days and a move into the trade winds to get back up into 2nd place.

Moving well, they took the lead from VAIO as they passed the oil rigs off the Brazilian coast.

After a brief spell of upwind sailing, the winds shifted again, and out came the spinnakers once more. On Day 29 they shakily reported a tense watch onboard, as a medium weight spinnaker broke away during a drop, leaving it attached to the yacht by just one rope and flapping away in the water metres off the side of the yacht. After a breathless recovery, they were still in the lead.

This morning the crew will be enjoying the elation of a hard-earned victory and will be soon be celebrating (and probably showering) in Buenos Aires with friends and family who have been waiting for them on shore.

The trophy they have been fighting for…

Commissioned for the event by Challenge Business this stunning trophy depicts the Challenge 72’ yacht sailing the globe under the spinnaker of the Challenge ‘C’ icon. Designed and made by John Mellows of Azure Dragon Design in Fareham, Hampshire the leg trophy will be presented to the winning skipper by the Commodore of Yacht Club Argentino.

John Mellows specialises in yacht racing ‘silverware’ in the form of stunning sail sculptures in polished stainless steel. A visit to his web site www.azuredragon.co.uk shows that he has made trophies and prizes for some of the worlds’ most prestigious regattas including the America’s Cup, 8metre Worlds, the X Yachts Gold Cup, the Dragon Gold Cup, prizes for all 41 classes and the overall at Cowes Week and the Tall Ships Race.

There will be no time to engrave the winner’s name on the trophy before the yachts arrive – it was too close to call as to who would win!

Please note: Final race positions are subject to outcome of protest hearing on 10th November

4 Nov 2004 09:59 GMT

Editorial Team

For further information on the race, please visit: www.globalchallenge2004.com