Dan Litchfield’s classic 1970 Aage Nielsen-designed Hound crossed the finish line off Cowes on July 5 after 16 days at sea, completing her first-ever Transatlantic Race. Co-skippered by Tom Stark and navigated by STC Past Commodore Ed Cesare, the yacht performed beautifully throughout the 3,000-mile crossing. “This race has been a passion project for two years,” said Litchfield. “To cross safely with a great crew and a great boat—it’s hugely satisfying.”
This was Hound’s third Atlantic crossing but her first race, and Litchfield praised her handling and the camaraderie aboard: “She reminded us why she’s such a great offshore boat.”
Unfortunately, not all journeys ended so smoothly. Fellow Storm Trysail Club member Gary Nackman and his crew aboard the Baltic 55 High Note were forced to abandon their race after a serious equipment failure. On the evening of July 1, roughly 1,300 nautical miles from the finish, High Note struck an unidentified object at sea, rendering the rudder inoperable.
While the boat remained afloat and watertight, the crew was unable to steer—even with the emergency hydrovane system. After several creative repair attempts, including lowering the rudder and rigging a halyard to a bolted shaft where the emergency tiller would be, the team determined they could not continue safely.
Fellow competitor Avanti, skippered by Marek Mirota, responded within hours and stood by through the night, providing tools and hands-on support in the water. Despite these efforts, High Note’s rudder could not be made functional. A French sailing cargo vessel, Animus, responded to a call for assistance and successfully brought the High Note crew aboard. Plans were made to tow the vessel to safety in the English Channel.
All crew members are safe, and the seamanship, speed, and care shown by both Avanti and Animus’s crew and captain were nothing short of extraordinary. Their willingness to pause their race and prioritize safety exemplifies the best of offshore racing spirit.