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31 January 2005, 12:06 pm

Countdown to the Start

2005 Pineapple Cup

Miami, USA

The popular Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race (formerly known as the Miami - Montego Bay Race) has attracted prestigious international entries since its inception in 1961.This classic ocean race is run biennially (on the odd year) under the management of a joint race committee of the Storm Trysail Club, the Montego Bay Yacht Club and the Jamaica Yachting Association.

Skippers, crews and boats, in IRC and PHRF divisions will challenge the course of 811 nautical miles to vie for the Pineapple Cup, awarded for best overall performance, the IRC Class Seahorse trophy, the PHRF Arawak trophies, and the Windward Passage Challenge Cup, awarded for breaking the course record.

The course from Florida, through the islands of the Bahamas and the Windward Passage to Montego Bay is a classic beat, reach and run, providing different challenges and conditions along the route. Frequently called 'ocean racing's most complete test', the 'MoBay' Race stretches the seamanship and navigational skills of even the most experienced blue water sailors.

Since the first race in 1961, the elapsed time of winning boats in different years gives a strong indication of the changing conditions of the course from a frustrating 10 days in 1961, to the new record run of 2 days, 23 hours, 5 minutes and 57 seconds achieved by Zephyrus V in 2003.

Ted TURNER, three times winner of the Race, became an enthusiastic endorser of this Race as 'the world's greatest ocean racing course'. This enthusiasm is shared by many, and anyone who has ever raced this course holds a nearly fanatical affection for the Race.

The 2005 Race starts on February 4, 2005 at 14:00 hours (local time) off Port Everglades Inlet, Florida,and ends when the finish line is crossed off the Montego Bay airport.

After all the thrills and exhilaration of those exciting days at sea the fun then begins as only Jamaica and the Montego Bay Yacht Club know how!

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