Quokka 8 and Sailing Logic buddy up! - by Mairead Boland

Saturday 7th May Skipper Philippe Falle and team joined force with our Coach and Quokka boat owner Peter Rutter for the first training weekend of this years Fastnet Campaign as Quokka Logic. Whilst all team members have raced with Philippe on Puma Logic over the years we were all a little nervous yet very excited about our new boat and challenge. And although we had all raced on Puma with Philippe this was the first time collect ively as one team as we had all been on different Sailing Logic campaigns including Inshore series, the Caribbean series, Madeira Race, Round Ireland etc. 

As we stepped on Quokka for the first time I thought this boat is huge albeit only 5ft longer than Puma! There are 2 helms, 2 heads, inhaulers for the head sails, spinnaker staysail, a table, a shower....a whole new world! Its amazing what a day can do as by the time we were having our debrief about 5pm as we all spoke about our day when it was my turn I mentioned "as the day went on....." and Peter finished my sentence "...the boat shrank". He can read my mind already!!! 

We had dinner in the Royal Southampton Yacht club and Dee Caffari said a nice few words including how every race is different and every day at sea is different. For me this is one of the most exciting things about sailing. I have completed 4 offshore campaigns with Philippe and the last Fastnet on a private yacht and definitely every day and every race was completely different and presented its own challenges light wind as well as harsh weather conditions. Having been on 38ft yachts for the last 5 years I am again on a steep learning curve which invigorated  me and I feel privileged  to be a part of Quokka Logic with an inspirational Skipper and generous coach Peter.