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This Sunday is the start of the Atlantic Alone race from Falmouth England to Charleston SC. This races serves as a feeder race for the Around Alone race. An often used phrase in Around Alone circles is, getting to the start is the hardest part. In the Atlantic Alone this is also true. With 11 boats entered, it looks like only 5 will actually sail the race.
In Class 1 there will be new Open 60's. Team Group 4 skippered by Mike Golding will make her racing debut. FILA with captain Giovanni Soldini will be Golding's Class I competition. It will be interesting to see how Soldini has recovered from the tragic loss of a crewmember in April.
Class 2 will have 3 boats. Mike Garside will debut his Finot 50 Magellan Alpha. Mike has already sailed from England to the USA and back so should be quite on form for this race. Minoru Saito is a 2 time Around Alone veteran. While not posessing the budget of others, his experience is extensive. The third Class 2 boat is Cray Valley with Jean-Pierre (J.P.) Mouligne as skipper. J.P. has raced this Finot 50 before, and sailed her to England on her own bottom just this month.
The 3,350 mile crossing should be a stiff challenge for all of these sailors. For further coverage visit: http://www.aroundalone.com For interviews, with Gardisde, Golding and Mouligne please visit: http://www.torresen.com/aroundalone/aroundaloneseries.htm