This transatlantic crossing from Newport to Alicante, Spain is no simple feat, and will be the final test of the Puma Ocean Racing Team and the boat before the Volvo Ocean Race. Skipper Ken Read and crew have been preparing Puma for this moment since its launch in late April.
The boat is expected to arrive in Spain the first week of September. Once in Alicante, its crew will participate in required safety training, weather briefs and Read will make sure they have plenty of practice for the In-Port and Pro-Am Races on 4-5 October, the official start of the 37,000 mile, 11-stop race around the world.
“We can’t wait to get this race started,” exclaimed Read as he left the dock. “We will have put nearly 8,000 miles of sailing on prior to the start of the race and feel pretty good about the boat and its capabilities. I hope the boat is quick, but we will never know until we finally get this adventure started for real.”