Onboard Monster Project

CW senior editor Herb McCormick sailed the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta aboard the Volvo 70 Monster Project. Here's his onboard photo gallery of the day's action.

April 2, 2014

Volvo 70 Monster Project

Photographer Bob Grieser captured Monster Project rounding a buoy.Courtesy Bob Grieser/Outside Images (www.outsideimages.com)

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The craziest part of the whole adventure may have been jockeying with dozens of other boats to exit Simpson Bay via the swing bridge at the entrance.Herb McCormick

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A huge crowd gathers on the porch of the St. Maarten Yacht Club to watch the fleet head out to the racecourse.Herb McCormick

Skipper Andy Budgen

Skipper Andy Budgen is a world-class sailor who purchased Monster Project from a Russian syndicate after the last round-the-world Volvo Race.Herb McCormick

Mainsail on Monster Project

It took four of us working on linked coffee-grinder winches to raise the giant mainsail on Monster Project.Herb McCormick

Volvo 70 sailing

Courtesy Bob Grieser/Outside Images (www.outsideimages.com)

Monster Project sails the Heineken

Once the main was up, we hoisted the big genoa as well. Note the daggerboards forward; the leeward one is lowered for upwind legs once the race is underway.Herb McCormick

Sailor Martine Vos

Like everyone on board, mainsheet trimmer Martine Vos got a workout on the round-the-island race.Herb McCormick

Monster Project Instruments

The mast-mounted instruments tell the story: In 16 knots of wind, Monster Project made over 16 knots of boat speed.Herb McCormick

Canting keel

Hiking out on the rail, the fully canted canting keel is quite a sight skimming below the waves.Herb McCormick

Monster Project at the Heineken Regatta

Photographer Bob Grieser captured Monster Project at the Heineken Regatta.Courtesy Bob Grieser/Outside Images (www.outsideimages.com)

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