The series gets underway Sunday, March 7th with a practice and crew weigh-ins. Racing starts March 9th in Long Beach's Outer Harbor, near the Belmont Pier, where there will be a public viewing area with announcers. The risks are far too great and the potential results far too horrifying. The site will be updated live from the boat during the race with email and photos. Simply put, this Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin-designed cat is enormous.
Hull construction is prepreg carbon fiber with an aluminum honeycomb core.
Its mast will tower 147.5 feet over the water, its beam will extend to 60 feet, and its daggerboards to almost 15 feet. All things considered, Melvin puts the potential speed for Fossett's craft at 35 knots, and then some. It should be the fastest ocean sailing craft ever built, said Melvin. The list of graded events and the method of calculation for the Rankings may be found on the ISAF website. Apart from being Wild Thing's first offshore race, Saturday will see her first clash with the maxi yacht that Wharington hopes to beat in the 630 nautical mile Telstra Sydney to Hobart - last year's line honours winner, Brindabella.