conditions last year when quite Farncombe (MD of Boatshed
a few boats rounded up and Hayling Island and fellow
caused collisions. crew member on a N Atlantic
After the fort we decided to crossing some years ago) and
split from the pack again and Andrew Christmas (lawyer
keep on the port tack, hugging and sailing/rugby friend since
the mainland shore from our teens). Three rather large,
Gillkicker Point. Here again middle-aged bods were plenty
I think we made up some for Tinker’s narrow cockpit.
ground, only to lose it in the We left Swanwick at 0730
last couple of miles when the for an 0910 start – the last
guests plus, of course, the great day we had in store. All wind dropped right away. in fact, being in Group 8. In
skipper and mate. the way along the upwind Our elapsed time was 12hr light winds we hoisted the
Alarms were set for 0600, leg, modern yachts would 34min, which compared overlapping (borrowed) genoa,
but most of the crew had overtake us. Later, south of very well with our perceived only to find that once it was
already woken to the pitter- the island, we would do the competition, Polly Agatha fully unfurled the clew came
patter of light rain on the overtaking with our big gaff (13hr 44min), Amelia Rose too far back for the sheet track.
deck. After a quick cup of tea mainsail being much more (13hr 48min) and Westernman, We remedied this by taking
we were on our way to our efficient than a thin pointy who retired. a second ‘trimming sheet’
0830 start. Bermudan mainsail. James Turner back to the after cleat, which
There wasn’t any wind, Later still, back in the
which was a worry, especially Solent, the Bermudan
for a 22-ton boat, but at least mainsails would again
the rain had stopped, so spirits be overtaking us. Thus
were high. we would get to see a far
Morwenna is not what you greater variety of yachts
might call manoeuvrable, than most competitors. actually worked well and gave
particularly in light airs, so We rounded the Needles end
Cruise or race?
us improved control over both
there were no plans to mix of the course at noon. South of the leech and foot of the large
it too close to the line. We the Isle of Wight we chose to
Boat: 1977 Jaguar 27,
sail. It did mean another piece
were only just short of the stay out at sea rather than hug Tinker of string to worry about when
line when our starting gun the shore, which was probably
Adjusted position:
short tacking to the Needles,
fired, but because the wind an error. We did catch a lot of
Class – 30th
though, and felt reminiscent
was so fickle and we hadn’t boats up, but this was probably
got our jib up quickly enough, due more to our gaff rig than
Overall – 277th
of changing over the running
backstays on an elderly cutter
we found ourselves still on anything else, so had we kept I once raced.
the line 10 minutes later. inshore I think we would have
Memories of the race in 2005 caught up more.
came back, when sailing my After St Catherine’s Point, N
ever have I set off for As we vied for position at
a 60-mile passage with the start the wind faltered, then
so little preparation. exactly one minute before the
own Moody 376. The run where the pack was closer My boat, Tinker, a pretty gun – died completely! We
down the island had been dead together, we continued to standard and well worn Jaguar were dragged excruciatingly
slow and we ‘sailed’ virtually overtake more modern and 27, has been pretty much slowly towards the line by
sideways past Hurst Castle. much lighter yachts. used as a hotel for the past the tide and were grateful
Soon Morwenna got going South of Bembridge year, sitting forlornly at her we didn’t get caught up in
and we struggled away to the inshore lifeboat came mooring just outside our office the mayhem that ensued by
windward. As something of alongside for a chat and a here in Swanwick with me the end of line mark, where
a boating enthusiast, it was cuppa. Bembridge was easy kipping on board her during four boats were fending each
then that I realised what a – much easier than in the gusty the week. My crew was Ross other off and trying not to >>
September 09 Sailing Today 97
ST149 RTI
RTG.indd 71 16/7/09 13:01:04
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