QM2 Wins, but May Have to Do 720

In one of the more bizarre races of the year, the Queen Mary 2 has beaten four maxi-trimarans in a race from France to New York. But the ninth-longest ship in the world may have earned a penalty in the process of racing against four approximately 100-ft trimarans in a 3,000-plus-mile sprint across the Atlantic in the one-off event known as "The Bridge," and one of the QM2’s competitors has suggested a ‘penalty’ commonly seen in small-boat sailing.  

As of this morning, the QM2 had finished, while Macif was 17 miles from the finish, with Idec Sport 144 miles miles back, Sodebo Ultim at 195 miles and Actual 580 miles away from New York.

According to a Bridge press release, the QM2 took the shortest route by crossing into the ice exclusion zone (have we learned nothing from watching Titanic?), which may earn the ocean liner a penalty. "The International Jury will evaluate the deliberate action of this course [and the time saved by taking it]," wrote Guillaume Combescure, a member of the Macif team. There were rumors that the captain of the QM2 was cheekily being called a ‘pirate’ for his bold actions. 

"After discussions on board Macif, we have a suggestion," Combescure continued. "We recognize the superiority of the Queen Mary 2 in this race, and wish that she is not too heavily penalized. As we learned in sailing school, we ask to the captain of the QM2 to make a 720. Yes, two rounds to show respect of our sport’s values —  and also because we don’t find it very funny for a cargo ship to take this trajectory!" Apparently Combescure has seen Titanic.  

"If her Majesty does the two rounds at the foot of the Statue of Liberty, our captain and her crew will dedicate her allegiance! Good night pirates!"

The Bridge is one of several events celebrating Franco-American solidarity, and marks the centennial of American troops landing on French shores to come to the aid of France during World War I. The four maxi-trimarans represent the the foundation of the ‘Collectif Ultime’ league — The Bridge is so named because the race is from the bridge at Saint-Nazaire, at the mouth of the Loire River, to the Verrazano Bridge in New York.