Solent sailors sail into record books
June 16 2009
Solent sailors Oscar Mead and Katie Miller have raced into the record books after successfully completing the world’s oldest solo sailing challenge - the Original Single-handed Transatlantic Race.
At just 18-years-old, Oscar -the youngest ever OSTAR sailor - went on to finish the 3,000-mile solo slog in sixth place.
Just two places behind him was Solent’s Katie Miller, who, at 22, is the youngest ever female competitor.
Oscar, a first year BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design student, single-handedly overcame some of the world’s most challenging sailing conditions aboard his 35ft yacht, King of Shaves.
Out of a field of 36, Oscar tacked and gybed his way into the overall top ten, and was pipped to first in his class by just a couple of hours - having led for long periods of the race.
Arriving in Newport, Rhode Island, 21 trying days after setting sail from Plymouth, Oscar said he was ‘chuffed’.
He added: “I feel unbelievable. It’s a mixture of relief and pride. It’s a big thing to get across the Atlantic, and in a reasonable time is even better. To be the youngest person to complete the race is amazing”
Final year BEng (Hons) Yacht Production and Surveying student Katie Miller is the youngest ever female to complete the OSTAR –outdoing her idol, Ellen MacArthur.
Katie’s crossing was fraught with mishaps. After being hit by a storm driven by gale force winds half way through the race, Katie’s foresail crippled and her EPIRB - which sends automatic mayday alerts - was soaked, sparking a rescue effort which led to a tanker being diverted mid-Atlantic.
But Katie’s talent and determination shone through. She put in an admirable performance, leading to a top ten place.
Moments after berthing at Newport Yacht Club, she told a reporter with the Southern Daily Echo: “I’m ecstatic – I’m really pleased to be back. To be honest it hasn’t sunk in what I’ve just achieved.
“Priority number one was to get here, priority number two was to get here in 21 days. I’ve achieved both, so I’m thrilled.
“I’ve also got a little bit of history – until some whippersnapper comes along and steals it away!”
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