Our final offshore race of the season did no entirely boast the idyllic Mediterranean conditions of sunshine and gentle breezes that I had been promised or naively hoped for! On the contrary, we had just about every condition possible from periods of total becalm to lashing rain in severe squalls with over forty knots of wind!
Here I am now, sat on Seawolf in bright sunshine under the magnificent cityscape of Valetta, relaxing and reflecting on a long season of offshore racing and in particular the latest adventure we have all experienced on Seawolf. What an adventure it has been to, a great climax to another brilliant season of offshore racing.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race 2010 provided us with a tense and hard fought battle with no let up for over four days. With constant sail changes, hard trimming and complete focus from our helmsmen the team aboard Seawolf, our joint entry with Atlantic Charters of Gibraltar, gave it their all for the duration of the race. Another epic battle commenced as the three Pronavia 38’s fought for supremacy at the front end of the fleet.
The leader board changed on an hourly basis and we could only watch in bewilderment as Tangaroa clawed back a thirteen-mile deficit in light and tricky conditions. We were out witted by them as they passed us with between two and three knots of wind. The gauntlet was thrown down as we chased hard to regain our lead of the Pronavia 38’s with less than a day to go.
In the closing stages of the race it was all to play for with a podium position within our sights. We pushed Seawolf hard and fast on the last day, which provided us with champagne sailing conditions. Thirty knots of wind, bright sunshine and a beam reach in a three-metre swell. Can you get more perfect than that?
Boat speeds stayed in double figures for hours on end as we powered our way to the finish line with over a
mile lead on Tangaroa. What a finish in the magnificent harbour that is so rich in nautical history. Now for a tense wait to see if we had finished in third place!
Sadly when the results came out we had been pipped into 4th place by just six minutes! So close after four days of tough racing. That did not deter us from heading straight to the closest bar to celebrate until the early hours and reminisce on a gruelling but exciting final offshore race of the season.
Now my thoughts are on next season and hatching a new and exciting plan to provide everyone with more thrills. My brain is in overdrive (and yes it is hurting). More about that later!
