Hurtling through the night, surfing down waves with the heavy weather spinnaker flying in 25 knots of wind is not everyone’s idea of fun, but if it is yours then the Eddystone race was superb. Andy and I checked our navigation; we were still south west of Portland Bill at 2300 and heading for home on a spring tide with 25 knots from WSW, if we passed the Bill close in we should just make it round Anvil point and past Swanage before the tide turned, but any problems and we could end up at St Albans Ledge with wind against tide—not a good place to be. We opted for a safer margin and laid a course 5 miles off shore knowing that we would then have to fight more tide on the way to the finish line at North Head at the western end of the Solent. With hindsight I believe this was still the correct decision although it was to cost us a place, first place, so just another second to add to this seasons tally. One of the difficulties about racing is how much food to put on board. We like to eat well and make sure there is plenty of it so I try and work out how long the race will last just before the final provisioning. Read more »

Posted: May 31st, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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