DaimlerChrysler Race

June 14th 2003 - 14.00 hours; the start signal sounds in Newport Rhode Island.

There she goes, King's Legend, sailing the extremely tough race across the North Atlantic Ocean. The DaimlerChryslerNorth Atlantic Challenge has begun, a race of 3.600 NM.

July 5th at 7.48 hours AM, King's Legend, with spinaker, passes the finish line of Cuxhaven. After three long weeks of continous pressure. Exhausted but satisfied, the crew has sailed her into a great position. 9 th place overall. 63 Yachts left Newport and only 53 yachts made it to the finish.
King's Legend has been DaimlerChryslers' "company boat" for three weeks. 5 Americans en 5 Germans, 2 women en 8 men, had been carefully selected by DaimlerChrysler, to sail the company yacht. Under the strong guidance of Gijs van Liebergen they succeeded in sailing a great race.

Quotes from the logboek:

25 Juni: Heute 4.00h hatten wir Bergfest! Wir haben die Haelfte (1800 sm) geschafft. Wir begehen den Anlass feierlich mit selbst gebackenem Brot und Lachs zum Fruehstueck. Seit gestern ist der Nordatlantik wie man sich ihn vorstellt. Eiskalt, windig, Gischt und Schaumkronen und immer fuer eine Ueberraschung gut. Die Nachtwache vergeht schnell, da wir staendig ein- und ausreffen. Am Ende will man nur noch in die warme Koje (hot bunks). Es bleiben 5 Std., um sich aufzuwaermen und ein Minimum an Schlaf abzubekommen. Die Stimmung an Bord ist gut, obwohl alle sehr muede sind. Die naechsten Tage ist Sturm vorhergesagt. Heute geben wir noch mal alles fuer ein bisschen Speed...

Friday July 4th : Day 21 and the last full one at sea (at least we hope!) We are still racing down the North Sea, evidently in 5th place in our division, and very close to catching the 4th place boat. Although the sea and sky have been the usual grey colour, the temperatures have moderated and the wind has thankfully been cooperative. Our motivation has been augmented by more intra and inter-watch rivalries for speed records (and the skipper's admonition that we are not allowed to mess up again!) so progress has been great...

Congratulated by Juergen E. Schrempp, chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler.

Start Daimler Chrysler race