A new all-time record was set on October 19 for the Around Jamestown record by Rob Spets on his Foiling Kiteboard Skellinger, completing the attempt around Conanicut Island in Rhode Island with an elapsed time of 50 minutes and 48 seconds. This 2021 effort beats the previous record of 00:50:48, held since 2020 by Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo of 1 minute and 14 seconds.

Rob chose to run the 18nm course in the northern part of Narragansett Bay from leaving Fort Adams at 12:17:48 ET. Spets started in an 18 knot WSW breeze at the end of an ebb tide. It was Rob’s first official attempt to set the Round Jamestown record.

“If I had to sum it up, it was survival mode for about 60% of the race,” Spets said. “I was super overpowered at first, if I had had a smaller kite I would have flown it. I played it conservatively in the east passage and it was definitely the hardest part of trying to go upwind and trying to get around the north end when it was nuclear.

“I had a game plan before the attempt, it’s something I thought about and considered for years and did a few practice runs to have fun on old equipment. It was really amazing to do it for real and get the record on my first record try; I am a little blown away.

“I had my speed on my watch and I know I needed 22 knots to beat Argo and at the north end I was averaging 19 knots. I was 22 and changed so I thought it was okay, this last track is downwind so I can light it up.

“The funny thing is there is room for improvement, I hit a school of fish just past the Jamestown Bridge and it was my biggest blowout. There were also a few touchdowns, so I know there are some local guys out there who absolutely could take it.

About Around Jamestown Record
The record around Jamestown is a lifelong record for sailing the 18nm course around Conanicut Island (also known as Jamestown) in Lower Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Similar to other outright speed records, competitors decide when to attempt their record and also in which direction they will sail around Jamestown. The record is open annually from Memorial Day through October 31 during daylight hours.

Five categories are recognized for annual divisional honors with the overall lifelong trophy going to the boat with the fastest time. The registration fee is $ 150.00 per attempt for any vessel 32 ‘and over, vessels under 32’ the fee is $ 70.00.

Current records:
• Monohull 32 ‘and more (2014): 71’ mini-maxi, Bella Mente, 01:19:35
• Monohull under 32 ‘(2013): Shaw 6.50, Manic, 02:00:29
• Multihull 32 ‘and more (2020): MOD70, Argo, 00:52:02
• Multihull less than 32 ‘(2015): HT18, KWYJIBoat, 1:46:13
• Kiteboards & All Foiling Craft (2021): Foiling Kiteboard, Skellinger, 00:50:48

Source: Julianna Barbieri, Manuka Sports Events Management