Races
230 nm Round Eddystone
We finished 1st of just 2 entries in IRC Z (or 4th in case we would have been in IRC 1). The MoM race was our qualifier for the upcoming Fastnet Race and unfortunately some of our best guys could not join and it was not easy to find good replacements for navigation/systems, foredeck and driver. Many thanks again to Kees (navigation), Xandi (foredeck, trimm) and Peter (trimm, pit, mast). You guys did a great job!
It was quite a job to get the boat race ready and our briefing was held in the Bugle around midnight. Quick sleep and at 7 am off the dock.. Our plan seemed to be good but we missed to check the current on the line and gave away 1,5 m to the new Kerr 40 who was dragged out of the Solent by significantly more current close to the shore. We followed Piet´s Vroon upwind machine "Tonnerre" in 15-19 knots of breeze on starboard tack. After a couple of hours the wind dropped and the fleet was headed. Tonnerre was almost out of sight in front and just went on - probably expecting more breeze South. We played the little shifts within the main header and ended up in a big header on the right side of the course. Tonnerre did not follow and we hoped they will be under pressure. When we approched Eddystone lighthouse in front of Plymouth at 1 am at 20 kts we found our friends in our keelline. We were sure that the Kerr 46 will pass us soon on the 120 m downwind but surprise, surprise after 1 hour or so Tonnerre was still 100 m next to us and finally gybed away. It seems that our old lady is much quicker with her bowsprit and her bigger kites. The wind increased constantly and this downwind developed to one of our best sailing experiences. It was a pitch black night and we played the waves with boatspeeds in the 14 to almost 20 knots. Water everywere, endless surfs - just fantastic! We had an intensive fight with our new Code 4 kite when the leeward sheet snapped off and lost 20-30 min to sort this problem out. Great job guys!! Very great after race party as well!
Crew:
Stefan
Bart
Peter (ex Uitsider)
Albrecht
Kees (navigator)
Ian
Porn
Xandi (foredeck, trimm)
Doc Goetz
Marc
Jens
Check out the footages!
RORC Myth of Malham 2011 - 130 n downwind