50:09.25N 05:03.91W FALMOUTH FOR START OF FAL 500

STAR DANCER'S OCCASIONAL LOG
Rob Packham
Sun 30 May 2010 18:38
 

Race Preparation at Falmouth
 
Star Dancer is sailing the FAL 500 race which starts at noon tomorrow - Sunday 30th May.
We set out from Yarmouth at 8pm last Tuesday and made Falmouth in 21 hours.  
Had to motor much of the way but got a good sail from Eddystone Lighthouse.
The remainder of the week has been boat preparation and we have another Southerly 110 for company - Wenda.
Race briefing was noon today and the course is Falmouth to Fastnet Rock and then turn south to a waypoint 49north and 8west which is about 120nm out from Lands End and a similar distance from France. 
There are about 20 boats in the race with most using it as a qualifier for the 2011 AZAB.  Most are double handed and three of us are single handed - a diverse threesome - a Mini Transat, Dufour 34 and Star Dancer!
The weather looks a bit grim at the moment.   Lights winds all over the place and poor visibility forecast for the first few days.  The Azores High is dominant and a series of weak fronts are bringing warm weather over the cold sea.
Nervous time before the start so dinner with the other crews at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club tonight will be good.
 
Rob
Saturday May 29th 1800hrs