HERE IS PHILIPPE'S FINAL BLOG FROM VISIT MALTA PUMA.  WE APOLOGISE THAT DUE TO A TECHNICAL ISSUE ONLY HALF OF IT GOT PUBLISHED LAST WEEK WHICH HAS CAUSED SOME CONFUSION AMONGST YOU ALL.  WE CONFIRM THAT PHILIPPE IS NOT GIVING UP OFFSHORE RACING AND THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO CAMPAIGN VISIT MALTA PUMA NEXT YEAR BOTH INSHORE AND OFFSHORE.  WE HOPE THAT THE BLOG BELOW CLARIFIES THE SITUATION BETTER!

Philippe’s Final Blog From Visit Malta Puma (re - published in full)

If I am quite honest I have to admit that as I enter the approaches to the English Channel on Visit Malta Puma for the very last time it is not with the blaze of glory that I had quite envisaged.  I had imaged that we would be at the front of the pack, fending off tough competition from British Soldier in one last dog fight with our arch rivals, to the bitter end.

For six glorious years I have forged a partnership with Puma and been a part of a project, meticulously managed from the shore by Allie Smith, that has achieved something that I could only have dreamed of.  It is fair to say that I do have exceptionally high standards and always strive for success, which to me has been measured by results.

Along the way I have learnt many valuable lessons, often the hard way, which has helped me build exceptional teams.  In 2007 the standards that I set myself, and the team, were unachievable in the format I laid out.  Back then I did not have the skills set to adapt and manage the expectations in a positive way and I possibly even lacked the maturity and inclination to want to.

The result was a break down in the team that went beyond the point of return and reconciliation, it was out of control and I could do nothing except watch what on paper should have been an incredible season dissolve into disaster.  That year we won the St Malo race becoming the first British boat to beat Pen Azen offshore.  The achievement meant nothing to most of the team and was an inconsequential measurement of the success of the campaign. 

Lesson learnt; winning is not everything, the people involved are more important than anything.  I nearly gave up racing at the end of that season and some of the team did!

Sometimes we put lessons learnt to the back of our mind and only use them subconsciously when going about our every day life.  Occasionally when digging deep in difficult situations we have to look harder at the overall picture and use every tool we have in the box to succeed.

Two years ago we stormed into the English Channel at the end of the Madeira Race chasing Pen Azen hard.  The last 700 miles of the race were covered in just under three days as Puma surfed down waves at break neck speeds of up to 20 knots swallowing up the miles.  We overhauled the French boat and won that race in style.  I think in my mind that is how I envisaged the climax of my last offshore race aboard Puma to be.

Instead, we have an upwind race to the end, where the last 400 miles to the finish will take three days!  We have our own private battle going on with Cheeki Rafiki and are fighting hard all the way to ensure we do not finish at the bottom of the leader board.

As I am sure you are all aware, I am passionate about the sea, live for my racing and have revelled in the success story of Visit Malta Puma.  I wanted a grand finale to the story and I will now openly admit that at times I have struggled to rationalise the situation.  I dug deep whilst becoming overwhelmed with a feeling I was staring failure straight in the face.  Whilst having a moment to myself to reflect I remembered that valuable lesson learnt in 2007, success is not only measured by silverware, far from it there is much more to it and this race is proving that.

2005 The story of Puma Logic began with what I refer to as the pioneering years.  Brian joined the team and Puma more or less picked us.  The Reflex 38 was an unknown on the racing circuit, Sailing Logic was a new concept and we had several novices on board for our first Fastnet campaign.

Somehow, and to this day I have no idea how, we won our class in the Rolex Fastnet race and finished the season by winning the Emily Verger Plate for toping the leader board in IRC1 of the RORC Championships.  We made our intentions clearly know; we meant business.

2006 saw Puma going from strength to strength and the season culminated in a 2nd place in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.

2008 provided me with the best month of my life as we took Puma half way across the Atlantic and back whilst competing in the Madeira Race which secured Puma her first overall victory in a RORC race

2009 became the glory year as Puma received the Royal Ocean Racing Clubs highest accolade being named as their ‘Yacht of the Year’ and a place in offshore racing’s hall of fame. 

2010 is the year we consolidated that award by taking first blood in the Cervantes Cup, winning the Round Ireland Race and leading the RORC championship in IRC for most of the season.  Brian is still with the team and has only ever missed three offshore races on Puma over the past six year!

For me the perfect end to an amazing six years would be to take home the Emily Verger Plate for a second time.  It would be dedicated to all those who had been involved and instrumental to the success.  Seeing that prospect slip away made me feel like I was letting everyone down and I began to remember the old adage, you are only as good as your last race and I became worried that Puma would be remembered by this result.  I also felt I was letting everyone down on board who had committed so much to compete in this race with a trust in me and Puma’s reputation.

I suddenly realised, after being prompted by Becki in an e-mail, that the way we are finishing this race is in fact a much more fitting and exceptional ending to the story.  Below is what I wrote in an e mail to my mother last night and I think it says everything I need to say

‘This is not quite the blaze of glory that I envisaged for our finale but I have come to appreciate that in fact this is a far more fitting end to an era.  This race epitomises every value that I stand for and the strength of character that I have cajoled out of everyone who sails with me.  The determination that is being shown on puma for this race is as a result of everything I have learnt and imparted on others over the past few years.  This race is not about the silverware, this is about something far more special and fitting for the final chapter of a very special partnership.'

2007 is the year you may have noticed I left out from Puma’s history with me detailed above.  Well that is the year I learnt my most valuable lesson; it is not just about winning, it is about the team and the people involved.  It is that lesson that has helped me through this race.

We have climbed mountains together, broken down many barriers, earned immense respect and left people in awe of what has been achieved on the water.  Above all else we have inspired many people and given so much to so many over six glorious years.

I therefore conclude that indeed Puma will be remembered for this race as I feared; however, she will be remembered for something far more unique and special than winning, with a place in our hearts that no trophy can buy.

Fear not though, Puma is remaining in our thoroughbred stable; it is just time for me to move on to pastures new with new challenges and adventures at Sailing Logic.  Watch this space!

For me now, I am going to leave you with those random thoughts of mine and go and enjoy my last day and night offshore with Puma for one last dance.  I for one am going to miss her and intend to savour every last minute with the boat that has kept us  all safe through thick and thin.

As for the Emily Verger Plate, well that is now in the hands of our friends on Encore and team mates on Playing Round Logic; but you know what, for the first time ever, that really does not matter to me anymore.

At last our 2 teams are home, safe and sound, back from their epic 14 days at sea.

Smiles and cheering all round when they crossed the finish line at Cowes yesterday. A stiff south easterly breeze saw both yachts scamper home in double quick time as soon as they turned into the Eastern Solent.

First home was Playing Around with Peter Robson nearly giving all supporters a mini-heart attack when he called to say they were going really slowly, had missed a tidal gate and probably would be 3-4 hours before finishing, This was at 10am. At 11.30 he called again to say they were now doing 11 knots under spinnaker and would be home in 90 minutes! At this stage, the support rib was broken down in Southampton Water and was unable to see them finish – gutted! However, Elaine, Mairead and Sally were waiting in Cowes to greet the team in, and hijacked a waiting water taxi and actually followed them over the line. The owner of the taxi has never had such a fun time on a Sunday – many thanks to him for helping out!

Playing Around’s crew were jubilant, if a little hairy(!), and absolutely delighted to have finished the race, and in such style. They were 3^rd in class and just narrowly missed being second and beating British Soldier by just 15 small little minutes – that is how close it really was…..amazing after 14 days at sea. After a dock party of champagne, beer and plenty of hugs, Playing Around set back across the Solent and up the Hamble River to home at Universal Marina.

Meanwhile, Visit Malta Puma were hard on their heels having clawed back am amazing 20 miles over the last day to get within 30 miles of Playing Around. They extended their lead of Cheeki Rafiki, with whom they were having a  great tussle with over the Irish Sea, and after having to beat for the final 5 days of the race, were able to pop the spinnaker at the back of the Isle of Wight and come home in style. A posse of Mum’s, girlfriends, wives, and friends, were waiting in Cowes, on the actual finish line to cheer them home. Just as the sun was setting, the big, white kite of Puma became visible rounding the last headland as she tramped over the line screaming along at over 11 knots. A fantastic sight, and an amazing one After all that the team has been through over the last fortnight they can be extremely proud of themselves for hanging on in there, for staying the course and for completing  their task, when most other teams would have thrown in the towel and admitted defeat. We will never know quite what happened to the alternator, but if that hadn’t have happened, we would not have had the most amazing comeback we have witnessed.

To put it into perspective, when they turned back into the race, after stopping for 8 hours to effect repairs, they were 20 hours and more than 180 miles behind where they were when they stopped racing.

When they finished they had overtaken Cheeki Rafiki, clawing back over 90 miles that they were ahead at that point plus another 40 over the last 3 days – pretty damn good stuff. Encore and British Soldier’s deficit was reduced to 70 miles, and as mentioned they finished just a few hours behind Playing Around. A very tired and emotional crew tied up at Cowes Yacht Haven, to be welcomes to a treat of champagne, beer and fresh food. Even a cigar was found to top it all off!!

We still don’t know this morning if Puma has managed to take the overall season’s points championships in Class 1, we will let you know when we do!

Allie

They are nearly home. A frustrating night, with slow speeds and rain, but day rbak has been the yachts speed up and are heading home.

Encore has won Class 1, ahead of British Soldier on handicap which means so long as Visit Malta Puma stay ahead of Cheeki Rafiki, they have got the seasons Points championships….go Puma go!!!

Latest eta:

Playing Around 12pm

Visit Malta Puma 5pm earliest

Eddystone, North or not?

Here we are, approaching our last night as we pass South of Eddystone Lighthouse on a beautiful Indian Summers day. Last time we went North of it and that caused a few problems, but we promised Allie we would go South this time. Secretely Philippe and I harboured hopes that the wind would favour a Northerly route, but our hopes were dashed as Schumy held fast to the helm and took control.

So, we’re on the Final Countdown to the finish at Cowes where we’re all looking forward to meeting up with our families and friends who must be mad to come down and hug and snog us. Do they not realise we haven’t had a shower for two weeks and the baby wipes ran out 5 days ago? Anyway, we’ll enjoy the hugging and snogging, then a glass or two of Champagne and a few cheeky beers. I just hope someone is there to catch us as we then fall over from exhaustion and self-imposed two weeks free from the sauce.

Everyone on board agrees that it’s been a fantastic trip. One I can recommend to other offshore sailors. Just be prepared for everything that can be thrown at you. The pinnacle of this trip is that it appears someone forgot to load the chocolate box on board, absolute sacrilege. We’ve been searching high and low for a 35L box but all we can find is more of those pesky apples and carrots that I mentioned in my last blog. I guess we might all be a little healthier for it, but there’s a lot to be said for 35L of chocolate, after all if I wanted to be healthy I’d go to the gym. The guilty party is keeping very quiet about it. That is, assuming it’s not the other watch who have eaten them all. I have my suspicions as they feign mock shock at the lack of chocolate, but those guys pack away a lot of food. So it’s either them or skipper. Tricky call, as he’s usually to blame when things go wrong. A prime example is that he always notices when the boat is slow or is going in the wrong direction, but it was just fine until he looked. A little like Schrodinger’s cat perhaps! Perhaps unsurprising with his two weeks of facial growth. Fortunately for the crew he’s been showing other cat like tendencies, such as sleeping a lot recently, and next time I’ll definitely be slipping sleeping tablets in his supper.

It’s difficult to describe the living conditions on Visit Malta Puma as, for many of you, it’ll be a foreign world. There are many rituals, for example a strict daily cleanse and wipe around with anti-bac that keeps us all physically healthy. Mental health was never up for debate. Cooking is even managed by those who claim no culinary skills and we humour them by making noises of appreciation as we swallow the lumps. Beating to wind offers its own challenge.  With the boat heeled over at 20 degrees, we’ve all regressed to our ancestor’s habits and swing around the cabin like monkeys hanging off bars, some more gracefully than others as indicated by the bruises. Maybe that explains the bananas and lack of chocolate? I won’t even go into tacking whilst using the heads!

As to our fellow yachts out there, it’s hard at times not knowing where they are. Not that we want to follow them, but we want to know whether we’ve made the right move as this tactical game of chess on water unravels as we enter the endgame along the English Channel. Can we catch Playing Around, will we stay ahead of Cheeki Rafiki? Only time will tell…

Peter (Burwood)

THE END IS NIGH

“Hello there, I am Philippe”

I looked at the smiling face topped with highlighted hair complete with the obligatory shades and thought what the hell am I doing here!

Here I was the Waterfront at Shamrock on a Friday night in May 2005 and I was there to join up with Sailing Logic for the RORC offshore shore racing series which that year culminated in the Fastnet. To say that I was nervous would be a massive understatement, my entire sailing experience comprised two legs of the Clipper 2000. I was probably unique in that I had 12000 miles in my log book but had only sailed in/out of a port less than 10 times. Added to which any smattering of knowledge that I might have picked up during my time with Clipper had long since evaporated.

Philippe introduced Allie and whilst she was of course all smiles, I was struck by the clarity and determination in her eyes. We had a couple of beers, they introduced me to Puma, said goodnight and went home to their warm beds leaving me to wonder. I had in fact sailed on a Reflex 38 during my training with Clipper. Memorable because I was violently sick for the first and last time in my brief sailing career. Spag Bol I recall – taught me to eat little and often on the boat.

The following morning we met as crew for the first time. I did not know whether to be reassured or not to find that they were a mixture of dingy sailors, inshore racers and relative novices. Philippe outlined the campaign, training etc and we were encouraged to identify our own personal aims. It was during this session that I began to realise that here was a man who was passionate about his sailing and the enjoyment and satisfaction it could bring. This did not prevent me from thinking that he was absolutely mad when he gave us his targets for the season – top 10 IRC1 and a podium place in 1 race!

The rest is history – first in class Fastnet, first place over the season in IRC1.

There have been many memorable occasions over the past 6 seasons, mostly good but one or two bad.

Our first start can hardly be classed as memorable since it passed for me as a blur, with sound effects – “hoist”, “prepare to tack”, “bear away”, “starboard” this latter accompanied by a few choice words which I gather were directed off the boat. It was absolute chaos, to this day I do not understand how anyone can have the degree of awareness and consummate sailing skill not only to avoid a collision but also to get us over the line with the leaders.

Then silence. We are across the line in first place and amazingly have the spinnaker up. I breathe for the first time in what seems like 20mins and take stock. What a wonderful feeling, on a spinnaker run there is no wind effect, it’s almost peaceful! There is no more beautiful sight than looking back at the fleet with the sunlight on their multi coloured kites. Notice I said looking back, they do not look quite so pretty when viewed from the other direction!

Round Britain & Ireland 2006 comes under the dual category of good and bad memories. So much of the latter that we swore “never again” – so explain why I am penning this during the latter stages of the 2010 RBI!

Fastnet 2007 – Sailing Logic have 7 boats entered and all crews muster at the Royal Southampton in Ocean Village. Stirring presentation by Philippe and Allie, strange strip by Peter, then off to the boats for a training day. Puma first to leave the dock, forward instead of reverse, in front of the massed ranks we run into the pontoon at speed, big chunk out of the bow, end of training day.

Fastnet 2007 was also the Annus Horribilis (sic) for Puma, crew never came together as a team for which all can take responsibility. Poor season, discord culminating in Fastnet itself when Tom broke his leg and we had to divert to Salcombe. As if that was not enough the crew decided against going out again. What a comparison with this year.

Madeira 2008 – the weather around Ushant was absolutely atrocious. Philippe was actively considering diverting to Brest, so it had to be bad! For 24hrs we just survived with minimum sail, not just spray over the front but what seemed like continuous wave after wave rolling down the boat and across the cockpit. Through it all Puma just marched steadily on, bow deep into the wave, surface, shake herself and go forward, strong and determined.

Round Ireland 2010 – Weather was perfect, strong winds (except at the end!) beautiful sunshine, incredible scenery and we won. The hospitality provided by the Wicklow Sailing Club was second to none which explains in part why we are racing now!

And of course the après sail! Since I am strongly advised that the old adage of “what happens on the boat (or in this case off it) stays on the boat” I will just mention crew meetings St Malo (10 petit dejuner and 10 grande lagers si vous plais), Madeira with Pen Azen and Change of Course, Cowes, Olive Tree, Frog & Frigate (I didn’t make it but my wife and daughters did!), and a couple of cheeky pinots in Cherbourg, Le Havre, Plymouth, Dieppe et al.

So many memories, I could go on and on. What stands out as a constant throughout the 6 years is the professionalism and commitment shown by Allie and Philippe. This is far in excess of what you could reasonably expect from a commercial operation.

From the supply of new sails, rigging etc through to the stores and provisions the quality has always been first class. So has the enthusiasm, for example Philippe before each race, dons his gear, jumps into the Itchen and scrubs the bottom of the boat to remove what appears to me as a light film of growth. Speed is of the essence!

Finally away from the narrow confines of Sailing Logic in general and Puma in particular, there is the effect on the world of offshore racing or RORC. When considering the RORC of 2005 Will Carlings “old farts” comment comes to mind. Offshore racing was for the “well to do” owner driver with his “amateur” crew. School boats were tolerated as long as they kept their place – they certainly were not expected to win! – there was even (still is) a separate trophy for the most successful  school boat, which Philippe has won every year on Puma with Sailing Logic. Thanks to Philippe, his determination, skill and ability to train and motivate newcomers to the wonderful sport of offshore racing these barriers are slowly being broken down.

I could go on but the “shelf” calls.

So now comes the sad news of the parting of the ways between Skipper and boat, with Puma destined for a more relaxed retirement. 

+Thank you Philippe, thank you Allie and especially thank you Puma for 6 remarkable years.