November 2006 ~ Ian Munslow racing his Open Classe 40 Bolands Mill achieved third in the highly competitive Route du Rhum race. Finishing in Guadaloupe, he had taken a gruelling 21 days, 9 hours, 45 minutes and 31 seconds to cross the finish line, racing at an average speed of 6.89 knots.
With over 90 boats competing in Le Route du Rhum 2006, the Classe 40 was the largest group with over 28 sailors originally entering. In this predominantly French class, only two were from the UK, with Phil Sharp winning overall and Ian Munslow coming in close behind in third place.
From a midway position in the race, Ian explained: "Getting up to 3rd from 10th was really because I got the routing right. Having the data coming through quickly and accurately on the Raymarine instruments meant I could keep on top of the weather situation, and make the best judgements possible."
Bolands Mill was designed by naval architects Owen Clarke Design, and built at Jaz Marine in Cape Town making it one of the first UK designed Classe 40 racing yachts built outside of France. Partly sponsored by Raymarine, the boat has been fully equipped with Raymarine electronics including autopilot with remote hand held wireless SmartController, 2kW Radome radar scanner and C70 multi function colour display. Ian also had Raymarine Ray 101E hand held submersible VHF radios on board.
Ian said: “Having the remote control Raymarine autopilot was excellent because it meant I could be freed up to concentrate on boat handling, and always make any direction adjustments from wherever I was on board.”
Ina Munslow is an ambassador for Portsmouth-based marine electronics manufacturer Raymarine. His expertise and hands-on use of the products in such extreme conditions as those faced during the Route du Rhum provide valuable feedback for the company, which is the largest marine electronics manufacturer in the world.
Fiona Pankhurst of Raymarine said; “We are delighted to have been able to support Ian. He is a
well known sailor, now competing internationally after a full racing career along the South Coast
and in Plymouth, and there are hundreds of well wishers who have been watching his achievement
with interest and delight. It’s great news that his perseverance has paid off and that he has done
so well in this renowned international, highly competitive event.”
Notes to editors:
- The boat: The boat ‘Bolands Mill’ was designed by naval architects Owen Clarke Design.
‘Bolands Mill’ was built at Jaz Marine in Cape Town and is one of the 1st UK designed Class
40 racing yachts built outside of France. The boat is partly sponsored by Raymarine. It is
owned by Bolands Mills Development Company.
- La Route du Rhum is a single-handed, gruelling, transatlantic yacht race, sailed every four
years that attracts the world’s best sailors. It started on Sunday 29th October 2006 in St
Malo France, and ends at Pointe à Pitre Guadaloupe, covering around 3500 miles. Ian and
his fellow competitors have faced the roughest conditions the Atlantic and its weather
systems can offer. It is an unforgiving race and Ian faced many challenges including
equipment damage towards the start of the race due to appalling weather conditions.
- The skipper : Ian Munslow : Ian (32) has extensive ocean racing experience and has
competed globally with Tony Bullimore as well as clocking up over 70,000 sailing miles of
which 18,000 have been solo. Ian has twice competed in the Mini Transat – once in a self
built Owen Clarke Design.
- Bolands Mill is also supporting the male cancer charity Orchid – www.orchidcancer.
org.uk. Orchid funds research into the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of male
cancers – prostate and testicular, as well as raising awareness of these neglected
diseases.
For further information contact Chloe Bartle, Raymarine UK Marketing Co-ordinator, Tel +44 (0)23 9269 3611 Ext. 1395 or chloe.bartle@raymarine.com or Alice Driscoll at ADPR, Tel +44 (0)1935 826451 or Fax +44 (0)1935 826551 or by email at alice.driscoll@adpr.co.uk.
This text can be downloaded from www.adpr.co.uk.
November 2006 (RM 388)
