DOWNWIND TO KINSALE

Very nice sailing indeed ! A pity though that this could not last long enough, because the tack was ripped off. I was a bit surprized because there seemed to be no good reason for this to happen. The sail did not collapse or open with a loud bang. It just ripped of under the load in 25-28kts of breeze.



and some more

KINSALE

Yesterday I managed to get the damaged heavy gennaker to the sailmaker in Cork to repair and reinforce the tack. All kind of small jubs had to be done to the boat before the party at the Kinsale yachtclub started. We had diner with a large group. When the Dutch start singing we're in for heavy weather.
Richard (VQ32 Velocity Girl) is still suffering from his back. Woody (VQ32 Vandal) is still stugling with an infection to his ear (small fever, antibiotics, painkillers, pfff). This is to remind that we have to look after ourselves very well.
Today the sailmaker brought us the repaired gennaker. They have been working overnight to repair loads of damaged headsails. So now we can relax a bit.Tonight there will be a bbq. A short nap, and then to the starting line at 02.40.

first leg

after an exciting start where i almost hit the pin end mark, we had a nice beat up to bisshop rock. We arrived there in exactely at the same tima as vandal. Velocity girl was way out in front of us. downwind to ireland in a building breeze with the baro falling. In 25 knots of breeze the tack of the asymetrical suddrnly was blown out without any warning. So we were down to white sails. Speed max 16.6 in a surf gooze winged. Approaching ireland the wind dropped and disappeared completely just a few miles before the finishline. We rowed accross the line at 02.45 just 1,5 mile behind velocity girl who broke their spi pole. 7andal as first in, well done. Gennaker will be repaired by tomorrow midday, so now a will relax abit, clean up and get some more sleep before we will start the next leg upwond to barra.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is Harry's birthday! We will cerebrate this evening at the RWYC party. On his birthday I am granting  him al sorts of privileges normally not given to co-skippers. He still threatens to start a co-skippers union though.

THREE IN A ROW

For the first time ever we have the three boats together in a row. Great! Today more jobs again: bought a new V-belt for the second alternator (thank you Woody for giving me a ride to the car parts shop), broken sheave in the organiser, Code0 was delivered after the repair in the afternoon and we went for a short test sail in Plymouth sound. Beatiful weather and everybody is in a good mood.

HARRY FIDDLING DOWNWIND

Even when at sea Harry keeps up his left hand skills. Light as a fether.

IJMUIDEN DARTMOUTH

We were lucky to have a fair breeze from the NE to bring the boat towards Plymouth. The wind was between 25 and 34 knots for over a day. Dead downwind, but still fast enough. At night I had a really terrible watch. Every light I saw was difficult in interpret. On top off that we managed to skirt the unlit windmill park off Margate. It was not on the latest map. Suddenly I saw a huge concrete structure at 90 degrees while sailing over 10 knots downwind. Scary stuff.