What was meant to be a fairly straightforward beat to the Eddystone Light followed by a downwind blast in champagne sailing conditions provided our seven teams with anything but the anticipated conditions. The winds became shifty and ranged between four and thirty knots throughout the race!
This race became the battle of the tacticians on the beat to Eddystone Lighthouse as the wind became very shifty and variable with seventy miles to go. Quokka came out on top and was the first Sailing Logic boat to round Eddystone at just before 0330. At just over ten miles behind, our other six boats rounded fairly close together ready for a blast that would test the nerves of the skippers and the physical strength and abilities of the teams.
Soon after rounding the Eddystone the winds gradually built and as they reached thirty knots the fleet was roaring home towards the finish line at incredible speeds of up to nearly twenty knots. As Quokka extended her lead Visit Malta Puma had the edge on the others and pulled away under the expertise of Tim Thubron.
The downwind skills of the teams were tested to the maximum as reports of Chinese gybes, violent broaches, broken kit, damaged steerage and injuries started to filter through from various competitors. Our boats were revelling in the conditions with smiles aplenty during a somewhat exhilarating ride.
Gradually the fleet were dropping their kites and opting for a poled out headsail, a typical heavy weather downwind sailing technique. Some of the decisions on the boats were more voluntary than on others, as sail makers were looking upon the fleet with a hint of glee in their eyes, already counting the weeks profit margins as the race continued to unfold!
With average speeds of ten knots for the 100 miles to the finish line the fleet of Sailing Logic boats were making the best use of the conditions that were proving the perfect training opportunities for their forthcoming Fastnet Race in August. In just one race of 240 miles most of the conditions that are anticipated in the Fastnet were experienced!
At 1300 on Sunday afternoon with just fifteen miles to go Quokka was preparing for their final gybe to the finish line. Phil Chandler went up onto the bow to prepare the foredeck and with a worried look on his face he reported that their was some damage to the carbon mast. After a very quick inspection the decision was made that retirement was the only option as the cracks were substantial the risk of the mast falling down was too great. A very dejected but philosophical team return to Hamble under motor with their dreams of winning the RORC championships overall dashed for another.
Visit Malta Puma sailed a superb second half of the race and finish at 1739 having taken over an hour out of Jaguar Logic, the next Logic boat to finish. Visit Malta Puma took 8th place in class and were even out training the following day, now that is dedication to the campaign!
On Addiction Peter Burwood reported stories of a Chinese gybe and other ‘exciting’ technical issues with the kite. Despite this they did very well to battle to a credible 23rd place in class, meaning all our teams finished in the top 25 of a competitive fleet of forty yachts. What a great success for the first race with our trainee teams.
There is no doubt that at the next training weekend, in just two weeks, there will be lots to cover on the water after the lessons learnt of this epic race. Peter Robson has very kindly offered to lend Playing Around to our Quokka team to ensure they can get out on the water whilst Quokkas mast is being re built.
The evenings entertainment will ensure the opportunity for all the teams to swop stories of wipe outs, adrenaline rushing experiences, personal turmoil’s, the highs and lows and much more. These memories are what drive us all to put ourselves through such hardships and sharing them with others over a few beers make’s it all worthwhile.
