After placing well in the 2009 Rolex Middle Sea Race, second and third in two different classes, despite sailing 90% of the race with a broken boom, the crew proceeded with carrying out various adjustments to the boat to improve performance throughout the 2009/2010 winter.
In early March 2010, with a new carbon boom in place, sea trials and training started in earnest.
The first event of the year was the Gozo weekend regatta which saw a high number of entries. Heavy winds plagued the weekend, causing some damage on most boats, Comanche Raider (photo) did not survive the weekend unscathed as minor damage forced them to retire from race four and five.
However, by the next day’s racing the damage had been repaired, and the boat raceable again. In this event Comanche placed 3rd and considering it did not participate in two out of six races, the Comanche crew felt they were in for a good season.
The worst result of the season was when they placed fifth in the double handed race. Comanche is a difficult boat to handle and race with a full crew usually, so being only two on board for this event they tended to sail somewhat conservatively hence the result.
The rest of the season has been a fantastic one where Comanche placed fourth twice, third twice, second four times. Most notably was the most recent event, the BOV regatta held in front of Sliema, where out of six races Comanche got three firsts and three seconds, another boat also got three firsts and three seconds, tied on points in the low scoring system, the winner was decided on the cumulative time difference between the two boats and Comanche lost first place by 0.06 of a second!
All the focus is now on the ultimate challenge - the 2010 Rolex Middle Sea Race. However before that there is the double handed figure of eight race around Malta and Gozo. A gruelling 90 mile race that will see first mate Ramon Sant Hill and Jonas Diamantino stretched to the limit of their physical abilities. Over the years this race has been sailed in fairly heavy conditions so the crew will be sailing conservatively so as to ensure there is no damage to the sails or boat especially so close to the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Rolex Middle Sea Race 2010
This year, Comanche will have nine crew, one more than in any other previous event. The crew will therefore consist of Ramon Sant Hill, Pierre Zammit, Kenneth Tabone, Mike Aguis, Peter Micallef, Melle Boersma (Holland), Daan Nauta (Holland), Anthony Montanaro Gauci and Jonas Diamantino.
Starting on Saturday from the Grand Harbour, Comanche Raider is, weather permitting, aiming to finish this 1000 kilometre event in 85 hours , 16 hours quicker than in 2009.
Since 2004 GasanMamo Insurance has been the official sponsor of this boat and has monitored closely its participation in the numerous events and witnessed its steady improvement.