The New Rambler

Hugo Boss‘ dismasting and subsequent repairs in Newport, Rhode Island may have grabbed the headlines, but there’s a lot more going on in the nation’s smallest state right now. Just down the river in Portsmouth, RI, the new Rambler has come out of the molds at New England Boatworks. George David’s long line of offshore racing — and record-setting — maxis, most famous for the dramatic keel failure and capsize of Rambler 100 in the 2011 Fastnet race, continues with Juan K’s newest design theory applied to an 88-foot length. Photos of the new hull are limited, but initial impressions appear very scow-esque.

Also in Newport is a fleet of five Class 40s racing in the fourth annual Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing. Numbers may be down this year when compared to the past, but the racing and competition are anything but diminished. Beginning May 10 in Charleston, the fleet beat and then reached out of Charleston Harbor under double-reefed mains and solents before entering the open ocean, turning left and putting up spinnakers. A three-way battle for the lead ensued through 648 miles of challenging racing to New York. At the end, the top three boats fought light wind and an outgoing current for three hours before limping across the finish line of Leg One within minutes of one another.

Leg Two saw the Class 40s race 231 miles from New York to Newport, again staying within sight of one another for the duration of the leg with JeffreyMacFarlane.com beating Dragon to the finish by just one minute and 20 seconds, to break Leg 1’s record as the closest leg finish in Atlantic Cup history! The fleet is in Newport now, where the 2014 Atlantic Cup champion will be decided during inshore racing this weekend, as there is a two-way tie for first place with third place just two points back.