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Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Monday, 06 September 2010 14:42
The Cheeki Rafiki Crew,
from Left to right,
Gary Perry, Steve Hacking, Gareth Glover (Skipper), Martyn Gates, Ken Allison, Nick Denyer, John Rutherford, Bret Wiliams.
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Monday, 06 September 2010 05:26
Red watch 1800 - 2200
Blue watch 2200 - 0200
Red watch 0200 - 0500
Full Crew 0500 - finish 0614hrs and 4 secs
The force six kept coming at us all night from the east, with a few gusts at force 7.
This was not as chaotic as the storm all those days ago up north but the sea state, with wind against tide off the IoW, made for challenging helming and impossible snoozing.
The biggest mistake of the evening was going for soup for our evening meal. With the stove jumping off its gimbel and the spoons jumping out of the draw, this chicken delicacy was nearly wallpaper..
Thankfully the gas held out and as a final gesture to avert the brewing mutiny, a further cup of tea was produced.
Gary and Bret have clearly sorted their bedtime manners as Gary is no longer seen wandering the boat when off shift.
The repaired main has held although the stick on patches proved useless when wet. The solution was good old fashion stitches.
At 3am we were wrestling with the tide off St Catherine's point, appearing to go nowhere but gradually making ground. In the bunks sleep was impossible with the relentless crashing of the boat as it powers through the waves.
We send a position report to RORC from St Catherine's point. Not a requirement but it feels right..
At 0500 the boat is buzzing (humming too) as we scramble to make sure we know the finishing instructions.
We're on a surfing run down the Solent trying to remember which side Cowes is on.
It's 2miles to go and Steve is at the helm. We're not even going to try the spinnaker, its about the only thing we haven't trashed and now would not be a good time.
We can see the finish line now. What a silent boat.
Steve is looking out for Snowden and Trinity to our Port.
We pass snowden, and goose wing towards the ferry.
Huge tide running past Trinity.
We have finished.
That's it.
Love it!
Cheeki Rafiki - RBI 2010
Gareth Glover -Skipper. Blue watch
Steve Hacking. Red watch
Ken Allison. Blue watch leader
Nick Denyer. Red watch leader
Gary Perry. Blue watch
John Rutherford. Red watch
Martyn Gates. Red watch
Brett Williams. Blue watch Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Sunday, 05 September 2010 20:29
Red watch came on 2200 - 0200hrs
Conditions have calmed. Unfortunately the poor visibility renders helming a mind numbing numbers game. Very frustrating as this often involves sailing blind to a number on the compass'.
Blue watch came on 0200 - 0600hrs
A message has come through from Steve's brother Pete Hacking wishing us well. He attaches a really nice poem.. We read it out in the dark. This is attached at the end of the blog.
......
This was the hardest watch so far to get up for. It really feels like we are on the final leg now.
The watch changes as we are 10 miles south of Plymouth. Conditions were 'as yesterday but with the lights out'.
Its 0215 and I look across through the dark and mist to Plymouth and think happily of my adult sons Tom and Joe. We tack and sail away towards Cowes, en direction St Malo!
These 'two till six' stints are hard for all of us. Gary makes unprintable observations on the time of night. Those little people in my head, constantly remind me to go back to sleep. Brett greets with a, 'you a'right mayte?' In his deep aussie drawl. Gareth observes we may not have to do this shift again, I sense a doubt.
The legal antidote to these morning blues, Gareth's staple diet, is a cup of coffee and can of red bull. Two sugars in the coffee please. You don't get this on the NHS.
Our night vision is really well tuned and even on this starless misty night we spot trawlers so much better than in those early days.
The gas is running low, this is serious as it drives the kettle, our Achilles heel. Retirement is briefly considered..
It is so silent, just the wind and the wave as the boat cuts its way through the water. There is even the risk of nodding off on the helm.
In the darkness the water glows behind the boat and shoals of fish give themselves away by creating sharp flashes as they disturb the water.
Earlier we had a kind message wishing us good luck from a chap in Michigan in the states. This was a real boost as he has been reading our barmy blog. His sister is on the boat British Soldier. This prompted some discussion as to why no ladies were racing with us? A brief look at each other and the question seemed to answer itself.
As the very faint lightness of the dawn starts to provide a reference point in the east, I find myself wondering how many pockets a yachtsman needs. The answer explains why anything important like a head torch or knife can easily get lost for days.
The wind shifts, giving us a sailing line for Start Point. We tack again on our erratic journey and set the course to round the Point before the tide turns..
The wind is building. This race will now turn on the quality of risk decisions based on uncertain information and luck. Gareth relies on the former, repeatedly visiting our options within the context of tidal gates and wind shifts.
Red watch returned 0600 - 1200hrs.
........
Ken Allison,
........
I Must Go Down to the Sea -
By John Masefield
I must go down to the sea again,
to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the sea again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume,
and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the sea again,
to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Sunday, 05 September 2010 18:44
Red watch 0600 - 1200
Blue watch 1200 - 1800
Brief discussions are now breaking out about life after the race. Questions like what next? We haven't finished yet though. There are unruly beards to be parted with too.
Life has levelled out to a relatively sensible 25degrees.
This penduluming tilt is amplified in the tiny toilet/shower(the heads). The future is unpredictable in the heads. Patience combined with a mild dose of constipation can be an advantage.
At some stage, every sailor's sense of self respect and decorum can be lost in the 'heads'. This explains the long pause in sea borne invasions of Britain since William gambled on his bowel holding out, back in 1066.
The beneteau pumped flushing system inlet is cunningly placed such that a crack crew with Martin on the helm and Steve on tactics, pushing the racing envelope, render head pumping ineffective.
Nick, red watch leader, will testify, as our the most recent victim of this Gallic design feature.
Puma Logic and Monsieur Philippe gain several more boat lengths as Cheeky Rafiki is 'luffed up' (levelled) allowing Nick to bring business in the heads to a close.
Skipper Gareth with his reputation as a hard core racer is not impressed by luffing..
.......
We are pushing hard now and progressively tack towards the Isle of Wight.
All goes well in the morning with the wind gradually building but withing the range of the light nr1.
In the afternoon the wind keeps building and the nr 3 goes up. Then the first reef goes in as we reach force 6 with gusts up to 25 knots.
I look up and indicate to Gareth the metre long tear in the main at the back. The tape has torn off leaving the sail at risk of ripping apart in the strong winds.
This is serious and the jokes stop as we keep sailing and options can be seen speeding through the skippers mind. Characteristically, it is simple. We put in the second reef, drop the main, sow it and re raise it. The boat never stops racing with the head sail alone providing the power while the big main is out of action. Gary Grimstitch does a marvellous job.
We have lost time and as the sea builds we race on. At 6pm we are two tacks from the Isle of Wight and the race up the Solent to Cowes. We have been half way to France today too.
The watch changes again.
In the bunks the boat can be heard crashing on through the heavy sea under red watch.
How will this end?
Ken Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR7383R Visit Malta Puma
Written by Crew member on GBR7383R Visit Malta Puma Sunday, 05 September 2010 06:50
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)
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Sunday, 05 September 2010 05:43
Red watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
The tussle with Beluga has got serious.
Blue watch want to be part of it, we can't decide whether we are on or off watch. The need for sleep and to be able to focus for the rest of the race drives people to the bunks.
With the mist outside, Gareth is watching the race with Beluga on Stevens tv. I doubt it was an expensive Tele as it only has one channel with a map on it. This shows where you were if you didn't know.
Lot's of tacks and things going on so the tea goes cold again.
The met office weather forecast for force 3-4 SE winds has left us struggling to make headway in variable breezes. Funny, they only live across the way in Exeter.
The light nr 1 head sail is not happy, flopping about as we desperately wish for gusts to take us to the breeze that always seems to be somewhere else.
Steven had a favourite winch handle, its been with him since the beginning. We just left it behind.
Learning point; lack of sleep, tea in left hand, winch handle in right hand, trying to make a phone call, bloke trying to multi-task; not a good combination.
The wind has now really gone on us.
Blue watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
We are out running Beluga.
Joking aside, the Beluga is a heavier boat than Cheeki Rafiki which should be a faster boat in these conditions. The folks on Beluga are doing a really sound job and must be equally focussed on us.
The wind stays light, and this becomes sailing by numbers and feel, shrouded in mist. Moving around stealthily, all very quiet.
By 2130 we are over 5 miles ahead of Beluga and working out what we need to do to beat some ahead on handicap.
The wind fills in from east, pushing us in towards the coast. Gareth gives contingency instructions in case this continues. This involved a different tacking sequence to get us around Start Point.
We have phone signals now after nothing since Scotland. Lots of calls are made to loved ones
Red watch returned 2200- 0200hrs.
Ken Allison, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR8407R Encore
Written by Crew member on GBR8407R Encore Saturday, 04 September 2010 17:24
Encore Blog Saturday 4th September We think this is the longest beat any of us have done. Bets are being taken for the wind to go into the west as we round Bembridge Ledge. We seem to be having quite a race in IRC 1 with much further to go on the race course yet. Best sight so far - phosphoressence of the dolphins racing alongside ius at night. Worst sight so far .......... suffice to say Nikki was brave to sign on with eight chaps for the race! The design of the 40.7 is such that starboard tack is now bucket tack - and we are quite grateful it was a port leg all the way up the North Sea.
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 13:21
Red watch came on 0200 - 0600hrs
The red watch guys were struggling to get up for the watch change. All are really tired and after several attempts we fail to raise the blissfully sleeping Steven, Martin, Nick and John.
We resort to a musical interlude.
The dolphins must have loved this, it was not 'hi-brow'.
Blue watch, Gareth, Ken, Gary, Brett pushing the boat as hard as possible, into thick mist, the hazards of black rock and the tankers in the separation zone dead ahead, all to the sound of Elton John's philadelphia freedom and lucy in the sky with diamonds. Love it!
Red watch woke up.
We missed Bishops Rock and are now en route aiming for the Lizard. Puma Logic is now long gone.
Other race boats are appearing on the AIS system but unseen in the mist.
Blue watch returned 0600- 1200hrs trying to remember why they are on a boat.
Breakfast porridge receives a mixed response. The heavier, less sophisticated, clay like consistency not a winner amongst the fussier members of the crew, even with sultanas. They don't know they are born you know,!.
The morning is misty and damp following a perfect sunrise. Puma Logic pulls ahead a further boat length as Rafiki is lined up for the perfect sunrise shots (photographs) over the bow.
And for younger readers, including Ben and Adam Perry, we have an update on the happy ending for our long lost limp lettuces letticia and lolita.
The rumour these drifting,( rather past their prime), salads were providing the extra wind for Puma Logic is apparently untrue. A cultural question is explored as we muse over being beaten by the French skipper Philippe on Puma logic.. Can you have lettuce in croissants?
Thankfully the limp legumes (?) have now given the trawler men from Cork the slip. They were last seen happily bobbing their way to warmer (these are not iceland lettuce)waters. They aim to set up a new lettuce patch on the island of Koz, Greece.
We are now heading east on a 75deg heading. The tactical options are to do with how far inshore or out to go, bearing in mind the tides and the need to eat on time..
We have not seen any other race boats so far, however we are very aware that Beluga is off our port bow in the mists.
The 'Rafiki's got talent' competition looks like being poorly attended. We are not sure why.
Gary hopes to wow the expert audience, tea makers and judges (Nick and Ken) with his not so famous, 'I know a chicken that I want to pluck' sketch. Martin is to be approached for his disturbing musings on, 'is this really real?'. Gareth is expected to turn up anyway with the joke book and this amazingly orrible techno backing track. As we are really struggling we hope John, Steven and Brett will come up with a,' retired Abba bloke lookalike stint'. No offence intended.
Tickets not selling well.
0930 Gary is now at the helm(nemesis sorted), following spells by Gareth and Brett aiming to hold Beluga at bay.
She's a bigger faster boat so we're relying on our tactical genius to hold position. The call to tack is misunderstood as a call for tea and the kettle goes on again. This triggers confusion as once again eight indecisive half asleep blokes work out what to drink.
Beluga appears from the mist as we skillfully miss the Lizard and search for the teabags. Not everyone who asked for sugar is happy. Beluga appears to be getting smaller.
Red watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader,
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR7383R Visit Malta Puma
Written by Crew member on GBR7383R Visit Malta Puma Saturday, 04 September 2010 12:16
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, its 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 aprs 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 didnt 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.
Crew member on GBR1429L British Soldier
Written by Crew member on GBR1429L British Soldier Saturday, 04 September 2010 08:30
DAY 11 - FRI 3 SEP 10 - 2100 HRS
The beating(s) continue! Having rounded Bishop's Rock and the Isles of Scilly to a stunning daybreak, the wind, relentless in its quest to remain in the east and head us at every opportunity, has done just that. So more beating in store for BS and her crew, with our eyes glued to the wind instruments to pick up the faintest sign of a shift that may benefit us in any way. Today has been immensely tactical, with many an hour spent pouring over the weather GRIB files and the tidal atlases. For us it's worked quite well as we rounded the Lizard with a favourable push before heading deep into Plymouth Bay in order to counter the fairer tides. We hope to do the same for Start Point later on tomorrow morning and then Lyme Bay, before making the final tidal gate of Portland Bill on Sat afternoon.
Life aboard BS remains decidedly (ab)normal. Relations between the two watches has changed from a distinctly cordial, to quiet resentment and now to near open hostility. Teas and coffees are regularly spiked with unpleasantries, oilskin trousers/jackets are routinely ransomed 5 mins before the unfortunate victim is due on deck, whilst the harshest trick of all was to rouse the off watch, prepare them for a move to the high side yawning and clutching sleeping bags, only to have been subjected to a 'bluff' tack. The on watch laughter went on annoyingly so for a good 3 hours. Suffice to say they weren't caught out again. The 1st Mate (now nicknamed 'Barnacle Paul' or 'Crustacean Paul' (depending on your Watch) steadfastly refuses to get involved in inter-Watch politics, other than to grumble and groan which sets minds worrying. He's definitely not been the same since the coffee ran out. Indeed, most things are beginning to run out. In those early days when it looked like we were going to be round in 3ish days, ration bags Days 14 and backwards were confidently dipped into. 1st Mate put a stop to the looting when a member of Port was caught clutching a 9 pack of Kit Kats from Day 8 (and this was on Day 3!).
At 1600 hrs we had clocked 2000 miles on the log, although we have a suspicion that the log over reads on starboard, so how accurate that figure is remains to be seen. However, it won't be far off. This race has been a bit of an (enjoyable) slog. With the exception of the run down to Dover when it was too breezy to hold the kite, we've calculated that we've only flown the kite for approx 8 hours - saving us a fortune in sail loft repairs! The rest of the race has been white sail reaching or close hauled with more to follow.
That's all from me. Off to find my clearly marked sleeping bag ("Neither Port nor Starboard").
Skip
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:55
Red watch came on 0600 - 1200hrs
Beautiful morning with the sea now settling down. Wind still in SE 12 - 15 knots.
The tack to the south went in at 0901 to the accompaniment of grumbling from the hecklers in the bunks. Porridge was served as compensation, notably exceeding blue watch standards, if a little moist.
It seems strange to now hear French voices on the VHF after the Irish lilts from County Cork.
Blue watch returned on shift 1200- 1800hrs
The early discussion with Bret on the helm and Gary on the main centred on the timing of moving to the Medium heavy head sail from the nr3 as the wind had been dropping, this was soon put aside as the wind held up in the mid teens. Then the VHF brought a forecast of a force 6 for later pm, from the SE. The swell appears to steadily build once more..
A large group of at least a dozen dolphins now accompanied us once more..
The wind has moved 10 degrees to the south from SE. This creates a discussion on bringing the next tack in early and at 1400hrs we tack to the east. This is rewarded with a cog of around 100 - 110 deg. This is muck better than we were achieving earlier with VMGs exceeding 5 knots.
Our projected time to Bishops Rock is now looking much better. At 1515 hours we are 32miles to the Scilly's and planning the route beyond. At this rate we may make Bishops Rock with the tide in our favour.
The race boat 'Puma Logic' has finally appeared on our port beam around 1600hrs. This seems an amazing feat by them, and cannot be explained simply by their technically faster boat. They have recovered a huge 22 hours following their stop for repairs in Great Yarmouth at the very early stage of the race.
This is the first race boat we have seen since we were in the oil and gas fields off the east coast. That seems so long ago. The guy's here I have spoken to all expressed admiration for them.
We also made a quick courtesy call to Puma Logic. I made the call and strangely found myself lost for words. I offered a joke that, '...we have been hanging around for them and will do so again in Cowes!...', I do hope this was received in the comradly spirit intended.
This event has certainly stirred a competitive response. Blue watch has just cooked and eaten the fastest bolognese since we left.
Red watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
With the wind lightening slightly we have changed to the Light nr 1 from the smaller nr 3.
Following further trimming by Gareth we gain a knot of boat speed. Puma Logic continue to pull away from us and weight goes on the rail!
We expect to reach the separation zones off the Isles of Scilly around midnight. The tidal vectors are looking good. The unknown is the wind with a force 6 forecast. This would all help and be far preferable to it going light.
From the bunk it is easy to imagine you can here the dolphins calling to one another. These very sociable creatures may be intrigued that the two boats have chosen to stay apart after such a long chase.
The race goes on with Michael Jackson blaring out 'just beat it!!' ...... brilliant!
The sun sets with Nick at the helm, John, Martin and Steven in the cockpit. Gareth is planning his recovery.
We determine to speed up.
Ken Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:55
Red watch came on 2200 - 0200hrs The slog, tacking to the Scilly's continued.
Blue watch came on 0200 - 0600hrs The night sky with its crescent moon and bright stars was now clear and sharp.
This is for me the most beautiful night sky we have seen so far on this RBI race
We have received info from friend via Gareth's surviving 'EU enabled' phone on our position. There is much to race for and we keep discussing options and start thinking about the tides and tactics from the Scilly's..
Helming is now relatively easy, provided you keep focussed and don't linger too long. An hour seems to be the optimum.
With the path of the moon in the water ahead maintaining direction is easy. Orion is clear and sharp off to starboard, the Plough and Polaris dominate to port. A bright star I don't recognise lies high in the south.
Numerous dolphins continue to accompany us, racing under the boat and rushing across the bow. Beautiful creatures. Often four little ones jump together side by side, I imagine I can hear them laughing as they race each other.
Shooting stars make it all even better.
Our plan remains to tack to the Isles of Scilly although there is a rumour of change ahead. In summary Subject to wind change and meal times, etc...., East tack at 0300 South at 0900 East 3pm Wind 140deg
We are now 105nm to IoS at watch change 0600hrs
Red watch returned 0600- 1200hrs
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:55
Red watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
The blogger slept intensely. This followed a large porridge breakfast.
Blue watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
This was the most beautiful sunset, accompanied by the large pod of dolphins that kept reappearing to provide jumping displays.
Gareth was already looking far ahead and explained how we may find ourselves in two days time tacking to Bishops Rock against the SE wind.
Through this watch we removed the reef and remained on the starboard tack,
This brought us to the south of the fastnet rock, somewhat disappointing as the photos from last year would have to do, we won't be seeing the infamous lighthouse on this trip.
The irish coast was totally hidden behind cloud and mist. We had one final faint glimpse of land through the mist but this would be our final siting of this historically troubled land..
We discussed our options at length. The synoptic forecasts we were receiving on the VHF from the Irish coastguard were not talking about any significant change in wind direction. The 'Ugrib' info we gathered last week is now useless and our next update will be off the Scilly's.
Gareth had a closer look at our three sources of conflicting tidal info for the Irish sea and emerged with another cunning plan.
Our tacks as essential east or south. The tide runs up and down the irish sea. We go east when the tide goes out and south when the tide goes in. The result is we get to the Scilly's in around 28 hours!
This plan works if the wind stays in the SE. I over simplify the above for sea state, and drift 'leeway'
At 2200 we switch to port tack, on a btw bearing of @180 deg.
We take the unusual step of agreeing our plan with red watch. It dawns on us that after over 1400miles of sailing the introduction of this joined up approach could well be the step forward we have been seeking.
To date such collaboration has been constrained to essentials such as food.
We all like this plan, it means tacking every six ours which means we can do continue to do nothing most of the time.
We stay on port tack for 5 more hours hoping the tide likes our plan too.
Very strong 'county cork' accents from the coastguard announce something unintelligible to do with the weather.
At 2230 we were 130nm from Bishop's rock on the Scilly's. And we had a plan. I wondered if Jill was on the Scilly's and hoped she was ok. She had talked about going while I was playing out.
Red watch returned 2200- 0200hrs
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader,
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Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:55
Red watch came on 0200 - 0600hrs
Red watch arrived on deck. The sea seemed huge and angry now, with waves regularly dowsing the cockpit and with the wind pushing into 30knots on the bow. An exhilarating and exhausting situation for those on deck.
The blackness was often near absolute with neither star nor horizon to steer to.
As red watch came on I handed over the helm to Steven. The rest of blue watch were already heading downstairs.
This was one of the few occasions, (since we rounded the fastnet rock last year, facing a difficult sea state), that I detected the hard, determined edge to his character. This strength is usually hidden behind his kind, reflective, and often hilarious outlook on life.
It was unusual for Steve to take the wheel. He, like Gareth, is an expert at the helm, and when he steps in at the start of a shift you know he's either bored or the situation is rather serious.
I was shattered, Steven knew it. The adrenalin flooding through me meant I was oblivious. and I admit to being disappointed to be 'letting go'!
At my tender age of 50 I meet many 'experts' through my work as a civil engineer and manager. In a boat I'm definitely not an expert!
Steven calmly asked me the two or three short questions that gave him all the information he needed about the tricky and potentially hazardous situation he was about to manage. I forget what he said but he also managed, to include a compliment that really lifted me.
I let go and commenced the acrobatics needed to get from the wheel to the side of the cockpit in a rough sea force 6 at 60degrees! Under Steven's charge, I could physically feel the boat relax.
As I landed seated by John, I realised my briefing had included reference to a star no longer visible. I had not been particularly helpful to my friend.
A few minutes later I was in the warmth of the cabin heading to the bunk.
An illustration now arose revealing Gareth, our Skippers, people skills. This was remarkable and even more so as he must also have been exhausted at the time.
There was a brief but potentially unhelpful altercation on the shift change between two blue watch helmsmen.
One felt the other was pushing the boat too hard and those on deck were getting unnecessarily wet. The exchange was not convivial!
The skipper Gareth, spotting the risk of escalation, intervened immediately. He reflected that both had weaknesses in their helming skills (the feedback) and should focus on these not other people (the target). They should both therefore just f*****g get on with it!(the empowerment!).
This classical leadership style, provided feedback, set a target, and empowered both. The immediate outcome, All went to sleep!
This altercation, perhaps illustrates how passionate the guys on this boat are about the race and about looking after each other.
Red watch continued to steer their southerly heading. This was later referred to by blue watch as 'the banana route'!
Blue watch came on 0600 - 1200hrs
Having followed the 'banana route' (red watch claim to have been headed a lot!!) We were now 32 nautical miles west of the Bull Rock.
The wind was 25 knots, falling to 20 but in the SE and so not very helpful.
Most importantly and of much more interest than the race, Gary and Brett were reunited during the night! Now officially bunking together again following their trial separation.
However, all may not be as it seems. There are extenuating circumstances that lead to worry that the rapprochment could be short lived.
On moving to the saloon, taking up residence in the single bunk, Gary promptly broke it! Now of no fixed abode, wandering the yacht in his spinlock, Gary was abruptly refused a threesome with Ken and Gareth. Hence one could cynically assume his overtures to Brett may well have a practical rather than romantic motive. We will see.
I digress,
Now too far west, we must sort our tactics if Santander is not to join Norway in our collection of wayward detours. At 0630 blue watch stumble into action and tack to 90 degrees, now heading to close on Ireland yet again and wondering if the promised South wind will rescue our race.
The Dolphins come to lift our spirits, loads of them. Several little ones swimming together and clearly loving it. Then the big boys turn up and show us their stuff, making us look so inept. The sea is really rough still, and they keep appearing from nowhere amongst the salt water chaos.
By 0830 48m from fastnet rock at 91degT, but our 'best to wind is too high at around 85deg. We will be 6miles too far north ( we must pass the fastnet to our west or north) unless the wind moves to south.
The other tack is also unhelpful as we are likely to hit heavier in the Atlantic if we go too far west. This is a worry about losing boat speed.
Red watch returned 1200- 1800hrs
Ken Allison, Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:55
Red watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
As the wind and sea gradually built from the southeast we held our course as southerly as possible. The nr3 went up at 1900 hrs, followed by a first reef in the main at 2000hrs. Sleeping was seriously challenging with the lurching of the boat and the banging of the boom.
Blue watch came on 2200 - 0200hrs
With the first reef in and the boat seriously powered up, Gareth explained how the head sail should be set as a tight, straight blade.
The head sail blade went in, removing the aerofoil profile, we retained our stability and pointing ability, and used the aerofoil in the main sail for the bulk of the power source that raced us into the cacophony of noise that was the night.
Tonight, in an amusing interlude, blue watch examined whether the situation was as real and awesome as it seemed. The currents in the peculiar timed porridge may well have been responsible for the conversation reminiscent of chapters in 'the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy'.
We all felt better, with the notion that we were innocents conned into a bizarre tv show. We quickly realised and became nervous that the parallels with the tv reality show big brother are peculiarly strong..
Here on the big brother boat, a group of disparate, misfits are regularly set tasks, the reward for which is further progress towards the place they started from.
A little sleep deprivation and confinement in a plastic box without a lid are added to make the experience more entertaining to the unknown and disinterested audience..
The boat mates are given a world that leans over and wobbles and a language so incomprehensible that even the welsh have discarded it. It uses words like heads, header, and head sail, none of which mean head.
In comparison, The organisers running the show get lots of sleep and speak very eloquently hiding their media mogul lifestyles behind a little shack of an office in Cowes high Street.
For the first hour we mused the best time to go to second reef. We wanted to keep the power on and with the wind rising a over 20knots the 2nd reef went in at 2300hrs.
We eased the head sail out of its 'blade configuration to give more forward thrust now the main was weakened. The motoring analogy is that we remained well and truly in 4WD but in such strong winds we needed the turbo to the front wheels only.
As we sailed toward the low the winds built up as ESE 20 - 25 gusting 30, confirming the excellent timing of the decisions to reef.
My recollection, helming for nearly 2 hours of this demanding night are the occasional friendly stars that seemed to appear briefly through the heavy clouds just when I needed them. Very briefly on one occasion I stupidly found I was using the mast light, my mistake became apparent when my sleep starved little brain twigged that it was odd to have the star mimicking the movement of the boat!
It is magical sailing in these conditions as patches of the sea lights up in multitudes of colours. I don't claim to know the scientific process behind these blooms. They are especially awesome and for me occasionally spooky.
The sea conditions were challenging and for those 'hiking' on the side of the boat the incessant violent soaking rapidly cease to be amusing and this adds to the other challenges of living in these conditions. The cold and damp penetrate the strongest spirit.
We were now 35 miles west of black rock, off the Irish coast.
Our Plan A was simple, keep pushing south on the SE wind then reach across on the southerly if it comes.
Red watch returned 0200- 0600hrs
Ken Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:54
Red watch came on 0600 - 1200hrs
From the bunks we listened to our mates in Red watch as they managed the boat on the long leg down towards Teargacht Island, through the morning.
These four are an unusual combination of guys, each with very different backgrounds.
Steve, part owns the boat, and lives in north west France when he's not working as a professional sailor. He is very supportive of all on the boat, always willing to listen and advise. Whenever the going gets tough you can bet Steve will be close by. A very nice guy with a sense of humour the size of a planet.
Nick, worked for the foreign office as an IT bod, overseas or so he says. We know that's bollocks and he was really a spy cos he is the spitting image of what James Bond should look like. He now works for an international IT managing big IT type projects for oil companies and such like, or so he says......, But we also know that's bollocks too as he really is the spitting image of what James Bond should have looked like!
Martin, is from somewhere in England that I don't know. It sounds like a beautiful place. He has a family and an allotment. I don't know much about Martin as we have only met recently and our brief encounters are fleeting during watch changes. He has a very interesting job that seems to involve analysing us all using statistics. I have wondered if he knew George Orwell?
John, is our resident Scot and describes himself as descended from the cattle rustlers and thieves otherwise known as the low landers. John has a fantastic general knowledge although we finally found a chink with a complex question about St Kilda. If john was not such a nice guy he would make up an answer to keep us happy, if blissfully ignorant! John has brought a book with him, 'murder made easy'. We are all nice to John.
Red watch put in a reef at 1000hrs as the wind built up. We are really making progress now in 25 knot winds
Blue watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
The competition between watches was suspended briefly as we shared a porridge breakfast involving a complex discussion on the merits of adding sultanas.
We are now seriously worried that Puma Logic are on our case and likely to emerge behind any moment and are becoming more and more focussed on boat speed..
Why does Tearaght sound like 'tear apart'? We will be keeping clear.
At 1730 we were approaching the southerly end of this huge bay off Gallway and land can be seen in the distant mist off the port beam.
The wind had been relatively light through the day in the mid to low teens from the SE. Still we were heading west of our mark which was now 35 miles distant. We expect to pass Tearaght Island during our 0200- 0600 shift tomorrow morning.
A further study of our 3day old ugrip files shows we can expect 25knot winds from the SE building overnight. This weather system appears to ba around four hours later than forecast, alternatively it may have been ahead as we experiences strong winds earlier in the day. So nothing is really clear. We use the knowledge we have to decide to hold our course at 210deg. We hope for a further update tomorrow am. And will
Red watch returned 1800- 2200hrs
The banter continues to grow and tacks are now being videoed for future analysis. John is emerging as our resident holder (and maker upperer) of the rules, albeit an element of bias can be detected.
The competitive nature of our situation is increasingly apparent. All are motivated to complete this race, the extent to which we are determined to get a reasonable place varies. Wouldn't it be amazing to do well. I do hope we catch the guys in front and keep ahead of those behind us.
This night is going to be busy.
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader,
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Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:54
Red watch came on 2200 - 0200hrs
As the wind built the nr 1 gave way to the medium heavy. Eventually the nr 3 went up at 0130ish. With John at the helm, Nick and Steve on the bow and Martin in the cockpit. We were being progressively headed to the west, when we wanted to be straight on past Black Rock to Tearaght island a further 120 miles away almost due south .
Blue watch (that's us) came on at 0200 - 0600hrs
With the watch change at night the change over was short and sweet with short exchanges of greeting, briefings on deck lasting less than a minute and an offer of a hot drink.
Having tacked for the sail change, we now headed straight for the coast (Galway I believe) we stuck to it to give us a better angle for the push south.
On the helm I felt nervous with the black silhouettes looming larger and the lighthouse directly ahead in the gloom, clearly it was there for a reason.
Once the angles were improved the call 'ready to tack?' gained the affirming responses from Gareth and Gary on the genoa sheets, and Brett on the main. I proudly called 'Lee Hoe' grabbed a reference in the clouds and we tacked over in the night. Black Rock slipped away off our port and my paranoia of floundering on a wild Irish coastline gave way to an effort to adjust to the new wave angles .
With no moon, stars or other lights, this was a truly dark night. The wind direction was 130degm, to our 190degm rhum line and the F 4/5 was gusting severely creating a sea state that made for a careering washing machine ride downstairs. I felt for Red Watch downstairs trying to sleep.
This is a tough shift. The hours 2 till 6 are not a good time for solving four dimensional spatial reasoning problems on fast forward. The fourth dimension is the human one, a group of folks, with only one thing in common (they keep losing their gloves). having to work together in an unfamiliar environment.
Sleepimg below was nigh on impossible as the boat lurched from spin cycle to tumble dry. This time the shift change was cordial and less relaxed.
Sleepless Steve was the usual peacemaker, emerging from down below like a cork from a bottle.
With a huge grin and in an exaggerated mix of irish and cornish, his calm voice flowed across the cockpit, drowning out the wind, 'Well f*** me, could I sleep?, could I f***?. Like a *u***** spin cycle dauwn there it is. And it's cos of you lot. You wait you bastards, we're on next!'
Greg and I, largely responsible for the rollercoaster ride, grinned back. The point was well made!
I learned a good helming lesson this morning. We had been hammering through the waves with the main hard in, making over 7 knots for much of two hours.
Gareth then took the helm, he let out the main, flattened the boat, kept the course and gained nearly a knot! Living and learning in the Atlantic off Ireland.
Red watch returned 0600- 1200hrs.
Ken Allison,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:54
Red watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
The routine has settled into a set sleeping pattern with the odd bit of sailing thrown in during the dry spells.
Doug...., Gareth wants you to know he is taking this seriously, and does have a plan to catch up.
Doug....., Steve would like you to ring Gareth and remind him what the plan is!
The two aft double cabin bunks are used for sleeping with the saloon bunks for kit and the floor for 'occasional' sails en route either to the fore-peak our up on deck.
This routine under review as Gary and Brett lately bunk mates in the starboard aft cabin have opted for a brief separation following geometrical challenges around Gary's sleeping positions. Gary has moved out and is now living in the Cabin with the kit pending mediation. They do continue to share a wardrobe.
Question..., should Gary and Greg resolve their differences or call it a day, and never again share the fore deck?
Meanwhile, red watch put in a number of noisy tacks as the blues attempt to sleep.
Blue watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
Light winds. Gareth remembers a joke...,
A duck walks into a pub and waddles up to the bar;
Barman says, 'yes sir?'
Duck says, 'quack, have you any bread, quack?'
Barman says, ' what's a duck doing in here? '
Duck says, 'quack, have you any bread, quack?'
Barman says, ' no, it's a pub, push off '
Duck leaves the pub.
Duck comes back the next day.
Barman says, ' what's a duck doing in here again? '
Duck says, ' 'quack, have you any bread, quack?'
Barman says, ' no, it's a pub, push off '
Duck waddles out the pub again.
Duck flies back the next day.
Barman's not happy and stares at the duck.
Duck says, ' 'quack, have you any bread, quack?'? '
Barman says, ' it's a pub, come here again and I'll nail your beak to the bar. push off! '
Duck waddles out the pub again.
Duck comes back again the next day.
Barman's now really not happy and stares at the duck.
Duck says, ' 'quack, have you any nails, quack?! '
Barman says, ' NO!'
Duck sits down and says, ' 'quack, have you any bread, quack?!
Blue watch return to some serious trimming. We steer in several directions, some of which take us towards the Emerald Isle, all to the sound of something called Techno Trance.
Between you and me, we're heading inshore to play the tides, please don't let the opposition know.
Red watch returned 2200- 0200hrs
Gary settles down to watch his latest film on IPOD. Due to a mix up in the dodgy downloading he is pleasantly surprised to find he is watching, 'Shaving Ryans Privates'!
The efforts of Blue watch have brought us to within 30miles of black rock and our steely focus is momentarily weakened by the mobiles coming live with well wishing messages. News of our position is not reassuring. It seems our competitors are catching on us. We resolve to refocus and do a check on the food stock. This reveals more pasta.
On a more personal serious note,
Brett, our Australian secret weapon, wishes to say a big 'hello' and sends his love to son Lachlan.
Gary says 'Hello and love you', to sons Adam and Ben - hope you like the story about Letticia and Lolita.
Ken says 'Hi' to Tom and Joe. Tom - good luck with the move to Plymouth.
Ken Allison,
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Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:53
Blue watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
John's Elgar selection continued to entertain the sea birds, whilst the dolphins chose to stay away.
The crew were divided and coincidentally the routine rumble of the engine on its 2 hour battery charge started early. This protected the hard rockers (some would say the Philistines) sleeping below from the horror of quality music.
Elgar really knew how to stretch out a theme and the blue watch were clearly suffering with their off shift Gareth watch another of Gary's movies, Gary mused whilst thinking up even more jokes for the next shift. Bret did the trying to sleep thing, and Ken sorted photos on the laptop and wrote the blog stuff, setting his alarm for the wrong time.. Even sophisticated Nick was escaping the classics by cooking an early meal for his watch. I thoroughly enjoyed the Elgar interlude.
The batteries are charged twice every day for two hours, to ensure they will be there to start the engine in an emergency and to drive the essential systems such as the Nav station, lights etc.
During our training campaign for the Fastnet last year we had a battery failure that ultimately led to us being unceremoniously towed into Weymouth by the lifeboat. We have no intention of suffering this ignominious fate again.
Martin picked up the weather forecast on his tiny long wave radio. This promised south east force 4-5. This would be great. Nothing happened and we continued to limp along, barely making headway across this corner of the Atlantic. .
Red watch came on 2200 - 0200hrs
Well not all of red watch arrived on time. Elgar was now alive and on the boat, the orchestra was in the fore peak dressed in sail cloth and the opera singer was on the helm belting out unintelligible noises. She looked like John, this was the odd bit. The words repeated gently as John smiled broadly. He was very close, this was also odd. I panicked, realising I was going dolally. I woke up seeing that John was leaning over the bunk trying to wake me up. I had overslept my alarm.
The South Easterly started to flow and we started sailing by the bearing 195deg . In the dark with lots of cloud this was not easy. The horizon was the type of featureless cloud that blends with the sea and disorientates the helm with a spinning feeling. The answer is to sail on the numbers, moving gently up and down.
As shrift change approached, the wind built to above 13 knots. We decided to tack, change sail hoisting nr3, tack back to drop nr 1. We put the m/h on deck in case the breeze dropped, then handed over to go to bed.
Blue watch returned 0200- 0600hrs
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader,
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Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:53
Red watch came on 0600 - 1200hrs
We were now well and truly in the centre of the low and the boat wallowed as one by one Steve, Nick, Martin and John did their best on the helm, with others balancing the boat to gain some forward motion.
As for blue watch down below, (gareth, ken, gary and greg),we were now so tuned to the chaotic noise and motion of the recent days that the peculiar silence and stability of the boat made it difficult to sleep!
By 1000hrs concentrations drifted with occasional spontaneous gatherings in the saloon to exchange jokes, leaving the helm to win the race single handedly!
Blue watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
The Watch change was a ceremonial exchange of the helm and the uneasy but relaxed atmosphere prevailed with Gary's jokes now well off the pc scale!
Concern mounted that the boats behind would soon appear and that even letticia and lolita may be overtaking us in the trawlers on the horizon.
Gareth instilled some limited discipline by instigating a clean up of the boat. Before long the heads were a haven of shiny porcelain and fittings, with a strangely familiar fragrance of flowers bringing memories of the visit to the gents at the anchor in cowes. We now know where the fresheners were lifted!
The floor boards came up, the bilges were cleaned, and food was repacked and arranged to be ready for the days ahead.
A serious shortage of pasta has been revealed. This is thought to relate to suspicious miscount of the crew numbers off Harwich, briefly resulting in mega pasta helpings for all, with Steve and Ken helpfully and unselfishly pigging out big time. We can best explain this cock-up, given the stress induced having to count the crew on both hands.
Unfortunately yours truly is in the frame and when the food shortage arises on day 18 in the wind hole off the azores we know who will be toast!!
At 1330 our fortunes improved with Bret at the helm doing his Aussie thing, the breeze picked up and the trimming was taken seriously once again.
A brief analysis of the previous day's exploding kicker incident, suggests the reefs were tightened but the kicker was not released. Luckily, our previously weakened kicker popped, otherwise the extra tension could have trashed the main. This could so easily have been our fatal error of the race. Let's hope our luck holds. Lesson learned - when tightening reefs, let off the kicker
The wind continued to play with us into the afternoon offering lift of up to 9knots giving 7knots COG at times. We push progressively towards the far side of the high to our south, determined to pick up the stronger breezes on which to push on to Ireland.
Red watch come on early for their 1800 - 2200hrs shift. John decides it is time to raise standards and introduce a culture other than now thrives in the fridge.
A strong dose of Elgar's opera, 'Sea Story', blasts from the cockpit speakers and our peculiar expedition continues towards back rock. The optimists convince themselves the breeze is building.
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader,
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Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:52
Red watch came on 0200 - 0600hrs
Blue watch came on 0600 - 1200hrs
This leg from St Kilda to Black Rock is the longest of the race. We remain out of coastal VHF, telephone and internet range as has been the case for all but a few hours of the race since leaving the Kent coast. Presently we are over 50 miles from the nearest land in Eire.
We took over with a little less than 100 miles to go to Black Rock.
For the first hour we were repeatedly headed and bore progressively west of our heading. As always the choice to tack was based on incomplete information, we got this one right and an hour after tacking and going down to the MH1 sail the wind shifted enough towards the east to tack back and now make almost a direct course of 202 deg to the mark at Black Rock.
During this watch we concentrated on improving our sail changing. Eventually, out of frustration and a desire to see improvement, Gareth gave a master class taking us from the L1 to nr 3 with him doing both the bow and mast work on his own. His instruction to me on the helm was very clear, he preferred not to get his feet wet!
This was a challenge as we were beating into a sea where the white horses were already racing as the wind built towards 15knots from a rather extensive fetch.
When a dry footed Skipper returned to the cockpit following an understated display of technique, speed and coordination, the disparaging jokes and banter flew regardless, with no need at all to openly recognise the expertise of this modest, likeable, rebel of a guy, who repeatedly goes beyond in his attempt to pass on his craft.
This really is a long race and with over a 1000 miles gone it's still a daunting prospect that we have yet to reach Ireland and subsequently to cross the Irish Sea from the infamous fastnet rock.
Seven of us completed the Fastnet race last year, Four of us, Gareth, Sleepless Steve, Nick and I on Cheeki Rafiki. However that was run in relatively light winds and we don't want to underestimate that leg across the Southern Irish sea.
We continuously discuss Rhumb lines and tactical options with the emphasis on the long game, trying to always be making fast progress whilst respecting the need for a safe outcome, and primarily completing the race.
We complete our shift with Gary on the helm, beating into a building sea with gusting 15 knot headers. He's certainly sorted out his Nemesis 'the wheel'.
Red watch came on 1200 - 1800hrs
Our watch system now runs like a well oiled piece of clunky clockwork. There are no dramas, the occasional late riser faces a torrent of good humoured barracking that ensures an early arrival next time.
Sleepless Steve's ever cheerful self effacing presence in the saloon is often a hilarious combination with Gary's joke's Nick's penetrating bemused observations and mimics, and Gareth's complicated funny stories.
When it comes to Tacking, Red watch must be the noisiest on the planet.
Ken
Blue Watch - Gareth, Ken, Gary and Brett
Red Watch - Steven, Nick, John, Martin
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Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:52
Red watch came on 2200 - 0200hrs and continued to monitor the options, hoping the wind would come behind enough for the kite to go up.
It wasn't ideal, especially in the dark, but Nick decided to have a go just before midnight, with John on the Helm and technical support to get it up ( a rare need for Nick) from Steve and Gareth.
It was worth a try and the boat surged forward. However the wind was still determined to stay as a reach and the spinny wasn't happy. After an hour the Medium heavy went back up and the kite was bagged.
Blue watch returned 0200- 0600 to find the breeze continuing to fall. Gareth took the chance to catch on more zeds having supported red watch for much of the previous shift..
The wind progressively fell to 8 knots so the light nr1 was raised. We made a tactical error here, doing this bareheaded rather than tacking to keep the boat moving. When a hitch arose delaying the raise, the boat speed collapsed.
Only 30 minutes later we were in the centre of the extensive low and started to wallow, dropping the headsail to protect it from a repeat of earlier damage.
From 0500 we were becalmed, headsail down, watching the sunrise and the sea birds as they skim over the waves at zero height, playing on the air cushions they build immediately ahead of them.
We handed over at 0600 to Red watch with the welcome hellos as first John, Steve, Nick and then, Martin emerge.
Frustration sets in, big time.
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader,
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Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:52
Toward the end of Red watch's 1200-1800 shift, the winds lightened to the teens the Nr 4 head sail was replaced first with th nr 3 and then with the medium heavy nr 1. We treat all our sails with great respect, especially those with battens. Particularly when they are downstairs, as a broken batten would wreck the sail shape and kill the sails power.
The evening shift for blue watch was pretty gentle with an ongoing discussion as to when the Spinny could come out. With the wind on the beam and light winds it wasn't time yet.
I wonder if all minds, like mine, are reflecting on the night before in the 40knot winds and the rough seas. The stints on the helm remain vivid, surfing and sliding through the paths that appear ahead in the seascape, sensing the wind shifts and wrestling to recover the mistakes. The whole experience made more intense in the knowledge that help is so far away. It is clearer to me now why folks chose this way of life.
Minds (well some)wander to the progress of Letticia and Lolita. These two limp lettuce, cast adrift the previous day are now comfortable in the potatoe cupboard on board the Irish trawler headed for county Cork, the fishermen were undoubtedly monitoring the progress of Cheeki Rafiki on the RBI, crewed by Ben and Adam's dad Gary Perry from Hampshire. However, neither Letticia nor Lolita has noticed from their hiding place among the spuds, the book nestling on the shelf next to the compulsory 'fishing for dummys'. It's the best selling compendium '101 uses for a limp lettuce whilst becalmed!
The sheething on the starboard spinny haliard was repaired by the resident embroidery group under 'Gary Grimstitch', they now include 'whipping' in their growing armoury of needlework solutions. An embroidered seat for the heads is under consideration as a conciliatory gesture to Steve, given the trashing his beloved boat is suffering.
Is there a gap in the market?. ,,,,,
It takes a male yachty an hour to concede he must go for a pea, leaving only 5 minutes to spare if an embarassment is to be averted.
Why therefore, are all the oily things designed such that under the full monty gear when your absolutely wet and cold, the minimum possible time from 'decision to go' to 'huge relief', (allowing for the queue as all male crew are daft enough to drink tea at the same time) is 15 mins?
We changed shifts at 1800 hrs and took the opportunity to eat together. Can't remember the food but this was the first time we had relaxed as a full crew since leaving Cowes. A special few minutes.
To make the day perfect the dolphins came back and surfed for a few brief minutes. Gareth lost his hat earlier so the discussion inevitably drifted to speculation that one of these beautiful creatures may well be, as we speak, trying it for size.
St Kilda, is such a brooding place at dusk under cloud. This place with it's special histories was a welcome sight from over 20 miles away and we gladly bade fairwell to what has on occasion been a holy place.
Our next voyage, further into the atlantic is the 230 miles leg, bearing 200 degrees to Black Rock and Ireland. Off we go!
A lesson learned for me, from the last 24 hours, is don't helm too long. Tiredness creeps up so handover regularly.
Ken Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:52
Red watch were now back up top and it was time for Blue watch to reluctantly hand over, feeling the storm itself had more to offer. It's wierd to be so damp and cold and yet so enthralled and excited that you simply want more!
Down in the bunks, sleep was impossible as Steve, Nick, John and Martin could be heard upstairs wrestling the storm.
Steve was on the helm as the fully reefed, bare headed boat lurched shuddered and surfed through the chaos that had become this beautiful edge of the Atlantic ocean.
The bang once again shook all of us apart from the pros. Gareth in the bunk next to me mused '..kickers gone again..', a few minutes later the snoozing skipper noted in the voice he reserves for teaching, 'that rushing water noise under the boat means we're going really quick'!. I observed 'your mate Steve's got balls;. He thought this was really funny.
While he's admiring the speed of the boat and making mental notes of breakages and lost profit, and having a few good long sleepy scratches, I'm in the next bunk trying to stop thinking of the 1979 fastnet disaster!
Can I be bothered going for a slash, if in a minute the boat's going to go tits up?, was one of the other bizarre dilemmas I was wrestling with!
A few more bangs and thuds (not to mention the dent into the now long spent profit,) later and the call for Gareth came from above.
From the adjacent bunk I burst out laughing as he muttered,
'suppose a've got to urn ma muney somehow!'. My impending visit to the toilet continued to dominate my efforts to sleep.
The rest of blue watch dozed, me on the blog, Gary watching films on his 'it's not an IPOD' IPOD thing, and Bret dreaming of his Australian red dirt, or whatever the Aussie dream of.
Sleepless Steve was continuing to wrestle the storm from the helm whilst trying to remember why he and his boat were here at all! He could have been doing a nice easy charter in the solent with corporate types who'd want to get back to their hotels, giving Steve a chance to spend time with his family who he clearly loves dearly. Instead here he was, on what his mate mad Gareth had described in the marketing as one of the ultimate racing challenges.
As another wave landed on Steves head he nodded to John to take over the Helm, with Nick watching the main. Martin was trying to remember how far he could stretch the definition of fun.
Gareth and Steve had a ponder over which broken bits needed fixing now and out came the box of spares. Gareth disappeared up onto the coach roof and somehow managed to replace the shattered kicker blog yet again. The main calmed down bit.
My alarm went at 525, time to wake up blue watch ready for our 0600 till 1200 stint. Looking out of the warm wet lurching cabin at the guys above it was clear the bikini would not be enough today.
Gary, Bret and I bounced off each other around the saloon as we wrestled to dress in anything we could find that resembled a waterproof or armour plating.
A glance at the Chart on the GPS showed we should pass Sula Skeir on our shift. It's a great feeling to know the next leg of the ride is about to be over. and we'd be on the way to St kilda and then the long leg to Black rock and Ireland.
Oh, what a night ( I love that song from the 60's). Our mates on red shift had seen wind speeds consistently above 40 knots on the bow and beam. This had been the toughest watch so far and they (Steve, Nick, John and Martin) did us proud..
Now for the day. This was fantastic with the wind in the 30+knots through till around 1100hrs and seas like mountains with two separate wave patterns occasionally coming together to form massive peaks.
Gary and Steve did a brilliant job fixing the nr 3 sail again. This needlectaft workshop was becoming a routine feature of our daylight shifts whenever the boat calmed down enough to avoid stitching each other to the sails.
We passed Sula Skeir on our port(honest), a small threatening island that was soon gone as we now focussed on the leg to St Kilda.
With the wind in the high 20's - low 30's and the sea easing we handed over to Red Watch for their 1200 to 1800 shift.
As I handed over to Nick we discussed where we had each left our comfort zones behind! I thing the toilet at the Anchor in Cowes is full of dumped comfort zones!
Ken Allison,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:36
Red watch came on 1800 - 2200hrs
The race now feels more intense with the arrival and overtaking by Puma Logic. A brief rumour that we had been lapped was physically quashed at source. and we are trying to hold our position. A rather unlikely outcome given their recent performance relative to ours.
Blue watch returned 2200- 0200hrs
We now approach Bishops Rock and the separation zones to the west and the south.
We choose to avoid the separation zones given the poor visibility tonight. This together with some over cautious navigation by yours truly probably cost us significant time.
We approach the gap between Bishops rock and the southern separation zone on a bearing of 100deg. This will likely serve us through to the lizard on starboard tack.
Red watch returned 0200- 0600hrs
The sail change is made at 0230hrs with the nr 1 medium heavy replacing the nr 3.
A lookout is kept to spot the Bishops rock in the misty night. We pass Bishops Rock, and on to the Lizard
Ken Allison, Blue Watch Leader, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:32
From 1800 till 2200 red watch with Steve, Nick, John and Martin handled some interesting tactical decisions around sail changes and courses to steer with the wind repeatedly changing in speed and direction.
A brief but excited exchange between fishermen over the vhf suggests leticia and lolita our castaway limp lettuce may have found their new home.
We (blue watch) took over from 2200 - 0200 hrs. First joining the discussion about moving down from the M/H to the light nr 1. Twice the decision was postponed, then the wind started to build and build. First we went to the nr3, then a 1st reef and the wind was gusting 25- 30 knots.
The next bit is for me, best described as an amazing learning experience as our Skipper Gareth calmly took us through to the point where we were cruising through 40mile winds, two reefs in the main, waves coming from nowhere in the dark.
First Bret. then Gareth. then me on the helm beating up, the wind gusting higher and higher with a manic sea rushing at us. I would never have believed a boat could be sailed through such chaos in the calm way these professionals go about their business. This was a force 8 so what is a force 10 like?!
When enough was enough, Gareth calmly asked me, on the helm, with Gary on the main, to keep the boat flat as he and Steve went to the bow to drop the head sail. This trust astounded me. Then they were gone into the black night and gushing water that shrouded the bow, me feeling a huge responsibility as our most experienced sailors danced with fate. Soon they were back in the cockpit chatting tactics. Me, not sure if the wet legs were seawater or my own relief!
As we now surged along with only the double reefed main driving the boat, the yacht handled totally differently, lurching in an unfamiliar way. Fatigue sets in fast on the helm in these situations and after an involuntary tack sleepless steve took over and red watch started the toughest shift so far.
Ken Allison This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 07:32
The previous blog talked about '......the north west coast of Shetland.....' what was meant was '....the north east coast of Shetland....., and no we didn't go the wrong way around..honest.
Leaving the tree-less, rugged, yet fertile landscape of Shetland for the northern atlantic feels to some of us a real adventure, as if into uncharted waters.
We are on our way to something called Sula Sgeir. It's now 80 miles (10 -12hrs) away, in the middle of nowhere between the Faroes, Scotland and Lewis. With a name that resembles 'scary' this sounds like a mark to treat with respect.
The mood on the boat is really good. This may have something to do with the rapid disappearance of any form of decorum as personal hygiene goes the way of the new year resolution. Or perhaps the emerging beards creating the appearance of a boat full of rather unsavoury Santa's, or a band of exiled trolls who recently stumbled drunkenly through a market flogging Henri Lloyd and Musto seconds .
Really sad news, our two favourite lettuce have had to 'leave the building'. Following a split vote these two extremely limp and some would say 'past their prime' examples were taken off the menu. Resembling a scene from 'castaway' the affectionately named 'leticia and lolita(she's the more attractive one according to Nick)' were last seem bobbing seductively towards an irish trawler anticipating better treatment.
As the wind has reduced through the day we have changed from the nr3 to the medium heavy number 1 and latterly at 1700hrs to the light number 1. This latest change took 12minutes, a standard set by red watch who have laid down the gauntlet. It seems the competitIon is no longer only with the other boats.
The exploding kicker (or vang to some) has been fixed. This literally went with a bang on day one when we put in an over energetic Jibe. Good fun but careless of us and bloody dangerous. Being up on the fore deck this was one of those 'underwear changing' moments in life.
Expletives from Steve (co-owner) and Gareth (skipper) in the cockpit revealed some concern that it could be expensive both in terms of cash and speed.
A semi-fix was sorted immediately. Today, Gareth produced one of several margarine tubs full of bits including a replacement pulley block and improved the fix without us interrupting our race.
The kicker 'by the way' is the combined shock absorber and pulley that runs from the base of the mast diagonally to the base of the boom. This helps steady the head sail and boom.,
That's it till tomorrow at 3am when we'll be off our 1000 till 0200hrs shift,
Ken Allison,
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki
Written by Crew member on GBR9793T Cheeki Rafiki Saturday, 04 September 2010 06:19
Red watch were now back up top and it was time for Blue watch to reluctantly hand over, feeling the storm itself had more to offer. It's wierd to be so damp and cold and yet so enthralled and excited that you simply want more!
Down in the bunks, sleep was impossible as Steve, Nick, John and Martin could be heard upstairs wrestling the storm.
Steve was on the helm as the fully reefed, bare headed boat lurched shuddered and surfed through the chaos that had become this beautiful edge of the Atlantic ocean.
The bang once again shook all of us apart from the pros. Gareth in the bunk next to me mused '..kickers gone again..', a few minutes later the snoozing skipper noted in the voice he reserves for teaching, 'that rushing water noise under the boat means we're going really quick'!. I observed 'your mate Steve's got balls;. He thought this was really funny.
While he's admiring the speed of the boat and making mental notes of breakages and lost profit, and having a few good long sleepy scratches, I'm in the next bunk trying to stop thinking of the 1979 fastnet disaster!
Can I be bothered going for a slash, if in a minute the boat's going to go tits up?, was one of the other bizarre dilemmas I was wrestling with!
A few more bangs and thuds (not to mention the dent into the now long spent profit,) later and the call for Gareth came from above.
From the adjacent bunk I burst out laughing as he muttered,
'suppose a've got to urn ma muney somehow!'. My impending visit to the toilet continued to dominate my efforts to sleep.
The rest of blue watch dozed, me on the blog, Gary watching films on his 'it's not an IPOD' IPOD thing, and Bret dreaming of his Australian red dirt, or whatever the Aussie dream of.
Sleepless Steve was continuing to wrestle the storm from the helm whilst trying to remember why he and his boat were here at all! He could have been doing a nice easy charter in the solent with corporate types who'd want to get back to their hotels, giving Steve a chance to spend time with his family who he clearly loves dearly. Instead here he was, on what his mate mad Gareth had described in the marketing as one of the ultimate racing challenges.
As another wave landed on Steves head he nodded to John to take over the Helm, with Nick watching the main. Martin was trying to remember how far he could stretch the definition of fun.
Gareth and Steve had a ponder over which broken bits needed fixing now and out came the box of spares. Gareth disappeared up onto the coach roof and somehow managed to replace the shattered kicker blog yet again. The main calmed down bit.
My alarm went at 525, time to wake up blue watch ready for our 0600 till 1200 stint. Looking out of the warm wet lurching cabin at the guys above it was clear the bikini would not be enough today.
Gary, Bret and I bounced off each other around the saloon as we wrestled to dress in anything we could find that resembled a waterproof or armour plating.
A glance at the Chart on the GPS showed we should pass Sula Skeir on our shift. It's a great feeling to know the next leg of the ride is about to be over. and we'd be on the way to St kilda and then the long leg to Black rock and Ireland.
Oh, what a night ( I love that song from the 60's). Our mates on red shift had seen wind speeds consistently above 40 knots on the bow and beam. This had been the toughest watch so far and they (Steve, Nick, John and Martin) did us proud..
Now for the day. This was fantastic with the wind in the 30+knots through till around 1100hrs and seas like mountains with two separate wave patterns occasionally coming together to form massive peaks.
Gary and Steve did a brilliant job fixing the nr 3 sail again. This needlectaft workshop was becoming a routine feature of our daylight shifts whenever the boat calmed down enough to avoid stitching each other to the sails.
We passed Sula Skeir on our port(honest), a small threatening island that was soon gone as we now focussed on the leg to St Kilda.
With the wind in the high 20's - low 30's and the sea easing we handed over to Red Watch for their 1200 to 1800 shift.
As I handed over to Nick we discussed where we had each left our comfort zones behind! I thing the toilet at the Anchor in Cowes is full of dumped comfort zones!
Ken Allison,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device
Crew member on GBR8308T Playing Around Logic
Written by Crew member on GBR8308T Playing Around Logic Friday, 03 September 2010 16:53
Philippe's Final Blog From Visit Malta Puma
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 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.
Crew member on GBR9350T CV1 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital
Written by Crew member on GBR9350T CV1 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital Friday, 03 September 2010 15:10
31st Aug ~ Day 9
It's a strange and wonderful thing that adults like playing games way past their childhood; flying kites, playing make believe, hide and seek, sardines, dressing up. All of these were evident on our watch yesterday. The spinnaker was the first to elicit oohs and ahs of childish wonder as we burled along with our kite flying full in the Irish breeze, perfect harmony between wind and sail, each teasing the other into playful submission.
By the time our watch came up on deck, however, the wind had almost died and we had to content ourselves with a lingering look at the Black Rock as we inched our way past it. Frustration turned to alarm at the start of the evening watch; not only had we failed to pass it, we were now drifting helplessly towards it as tide and wind (or the lack of it) were both against us. We tried offering a 20 cent piece to Neptune, but it sent him into a windless sulk. As the moon rose yellow behind the rock, silhouetting its black outline in a menacing glow, it was time for the imagination to run riot. Pirates lived there, even the Lorelei were waiting to lure us to certain doom. so we whistled down the wind, sang sweary songs to show our contempt of the enemy, squeezed like sardines onto the guard rail to adjust the balance of the boat and played hide and seek with the host of stars in the sky as they darted behind clouds and out again.
Well, something must have worked the wind slowly came to its senses and we cleared the rock, the pirates and the Lorelei to our delight and weary relief. All good fun, though it wouldn't make us go any faster. But then neither would the sight of and eminent Australian radiologist, helming our boat to within an inch of perfection and dressed, for reasons nobody quite understood, as a Smurf with dreadlocks
Today we mean serious business once again. The wind's up; there's a race to be run and it's not over yet.
Margot Rawson
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