« September 2009 | Main | November 2009 »

October 06, 2009

Update and Future Plans

The Goblets

On the 11th of September I took part in the Buckley Goblets, an EAORA race from West Mersea to Ostend, Belgium. I, unsurprisingly was the only solo entry. I did pretty well however 50 minutes from the finish it all went wrong.

A heavy squall of between 30 and 35 knots true came through and I jumped up to put a reef in. As I looked up my top full length batten had come away from its slider and wrapped itself the wrong side of one of my spreaders. I could not get the sail down ! I could not get it back up. I tried all sorts of things to get it free however in the end I had to turn the engine on driving ahead into the weather, winch in reef 2 a bit to pull the sail backwards and stand of the boom ( very hairy ) yanking and swearing at it. The mainsail split and, having used the engine, I promptly retired and motored in.

Thanks to Will for popping on board and bringing her home with me!

Future Plans

I have entered to 2011 AZAB (Azores and Back Race) and plan to race the event solo as a warm up for my next attempt at the OSTAR.

Jan and I are planning to do the 2010 Triangle Race, I will send the entry form off today.

Posted by ninjod at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)