Lithuania in the News
30th December 2012
Lithuanian Yacht “Ambersail” Finishes Among the Leaders in the Sydney – Hobart Yacht Race
“Ambersail” at the start of the Sydney – Hobart race.
Photo courtesy rolexsydneyhobart.com
The Lithuanian yacht „Ambersail“ finished a very respectable 13th among the 76 yachts starting in the prestigious 2012 Rolex Sydney – Hobart Yacht Race, a 1160 km course that is one of the most difficult in the world. „Ambersail“ has made history as the first Lithuanian yacht to sail in this race. It was one of the four international entries in the race, the other 3 were from Japan and New Zealand (2 entries).
After nearly 3 days of sailing, the two international entries „Ambersail“ and the Japanese boat „KLC Bengal 7“ finished almost together, with „Ambersail“ just 6 minutes ahead of „KLC Bengal 7“. The two boats had been going neck and neck throughout most of the race. „Ambersail“ had got off to a good start and maintained a leading position throughout the race, at one point moving up to 9th position. The line honours were taken out by the Australian yacht “Wild Oats XI“ with an outstanding overall result. It was declared the handicap winner as well and it also broke its own earlier record by nearly 17 minutes.
„Ambersail“, with an all-Lithuanian crew, was skippered by experienced sailor Simonas Steponavičius, with helmsmen Raimondas Šiugždinis, Saulius Pajarskas, Tauras Rymonis and navigator Raimundas Daubaras. Other „Ambersail“ team members were Arūnas Burkšas, Ramūnas Bložė, Regimantas Buožius, Linas Ivanauskas, Tomas Ivanauskas, Paulius Jeršovas, Klaudio Kliučinskas, Gintautas Milevičius, Rokas Milevičius, Alvydas Naujėkas, Gediminas Sirvidas, Algimantas Variakojis, Rokas Vaičiūnas. The youngest crew member was Tomas Ivanauskas (21 years).
On its journey to Sydney across the Pacific „Ambersail“ had collided with a whale, which necessitated major repairs in New Zealand. But „Ambersail“ did reach Sydney on Saturday, December 22, just four days before the start of the race on Boxing Day. The crew of „Ambersail“ on Christmas Eve joined Sydney Lithuanians for the Lithuanian traditional Christmas Eve „Kūčios“ at the Sydney Lithuanian Club. Sydney Lithuanians wished them good sailing and success in the race.

Further information: www.rolexsydneyhobart.com   www.ambersail1000.lt   www.lrytas.lt 29/12/12