yacht news

Hyde Sails poised to race across the Atlantic

The Clipper fleet is due to start its transatlantic leg from La Rochelle on Tuesday September 22 and Hyde's sails will be powering the fleet on its way to Rio de Janerio, and on Cape Breton Island,photographer Tom Gruitt will be sharing his experience along the way as he completes his first transatlantic crossing.

Tom looks forward to taking part in the first leg of the Clipper Round the World race. "Sailing across the Atlantic has always been a bit of a dream for me. My leg gives me the opportunity to sail the North and South Atlantic, and there is even an equator crossing in there too (must think of a gift for Neptune!).

"It will take roughly four weeks to get to Rio from La Rochelle, the longest I have been on a boat is about five days, the fact that I can't get off until I get there hasn't quite dawned on me yet, but I'm sure it will soon. I think the bit I'm most looking forward to is being on the boat as a photographer, the chance to capture stunning images as the action happens and send them back for the world to see really excites me. I think the watch system will be tough to start off with, the guys on board have already settled in to it on the trip down from Hull to La Rochelle, but I'm sure after a day or two it will become easier."

Keep checking Tom's blog to read Cape Breton Island's progress, and to see the photos he will be sending back every few days.