CW senior editor Herb McCormick sailed the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta aboard the Volvo 70 Monster Project. Here's his onboard photo gallery of the day's action.
By
Cruising World Staff
Updated: April 2, 2014
Volvo 70 Monster Project
Photographer Bob Grieser captured Monster Project rounding a buoy.Courtesy Bob Grieser/Outside Images (www.outsideimages.com)
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The craziest part of the whole adventure may have been jockeying with dozens of other boats to exit Simpson Bay via the swing bridge at the entrance.Herb McCormick
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A huge crowd gathers on the porch of the St. Maarten Yacht Club to watch the fleet head out to the racecourse.Herb McCormick
Skipper Andy Budgen
Skipper Andy Budgen is a world-class sailor who purchased Monster Project from a Russian syndicate after the last round-the-world Volvo Race.Herb McCormick
Mainsail on Monster Project
It took four of us working on linked coffee-grinder winches to raise the giant mainsail on Monster Project.Herb McCormick
Volvo 70 sailing
Courtesy Bob Grieser/Outside Images (www.outsideimages.com)
Monster Project sails the Heineken
Once the main was up, we hoisted the big genoa as well. Note the daggerboards forward; the leeward one is lowered for upwind legs once the race is underway.Herb McCormick
Sailor Martine Vos
Like everyone on board, mainsheet trimmer Martine Vos got a workout on the round-the-island race.Herb McCormick
Monster Project Instruments
The mast-mounted instruments tell the story: In 16 knots of wind, Monster Project made over 16 knots of boat speed.Herb McCormick
Canting keel
Hiking out on the rail, the fully canted canting keel is quite a sight skimming below the waves.Herb McCormick
Monster Project at the Heineken Regatta
Photographer Bob Grieser captured Monster Project at the Heineken Regatta.Courtesy Bob Grieser/Outside Images (www.outsideimages.com)