<![CDATA[Premier Flair - RORC Fastnet Race IRC2

<![CDATA[Premier Flair - RORC Fastnet Race IRC2 - News Feed]]> /premierflair/index.rss Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:54:48 UTC Friday 19th August 2251 hrs /premierflair/posts/2011/8/19/7-friday-19th-august-2251-hrs

After the last blog, composed by Mr David Powell, some sanity returns (temporarily) ...

We rounded Bishop Rock Lighthouse at 2130 on Thursday evening, then sailing through the night made the 48 miles to the Lizard by 5 am. The Scillies was something special with many porpoises flying from the waves in pods of 5 and 7 with a backdrop ofof the dusk sky.

Half way across the passge to the Lizard, a new front came in from the North, bringing some wind (13 knots) and much rain: it wasn't long before our now dry boat became wet again !!!

As we had a few hours to go before a favourable tide to Plymouth, we sailed up close to the coast to around Mevagissey, then struck out on a fetch to Plymouth. All was going well, and my objective of winning back a few of the places previously lost seemed to be going well ... until the wind died !!!

We were stranded on a glassy sea some 4 miles from the finish - how bad was that ... we set the anchor twice to hold us from loosing valuable gains to the tide.

Finally at about 4pm the wind slowly appeared from the SW, bringing a raft load of boats, and we finally crossed the finish line at 1657 hrs on Thursday16th 2011. The race time was 100 Hrs 47 minutes: this meant that Robin won the "Guess the Runtime" sweepstake, and also that we finished 24th in class and at time writing, 80th overall.

We eventually got berthed in Suttton Marina. As we were in the lock, a very excited lady's voice shouted from the bridge above - "Geoff" - it was Kirsten Tapping. She and Peter were staying over in Plymouth for a few days to follow the Fastnet finish. Later on they came and visited our boat when we were all moored up. "No Fear", the boat Peter was sailing had to retire due to sail damage during the storm in the Irish sea on their outward leg.

So, a shower and beer were called for, and these delightful duties were duly conducted in that order, but after handing in the race declaration form to the RORC office. The evening celebrations continued until late.

That was the 2011 Fastnet - everyone is pretty exhausted, but satisfied that their bit

A final 'Toodle Pip' from me as I return back to the my land lubber life !

]]> Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:54:48 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/19/7-friday-19th-august-2251-hrs (@author) Wednesday 17th August 1230 hrs /premierflair/posts/2011/8/17/6-wednesday-17th-august-1230-hrs

So having rounded Fastnet we hoisted the Kite to head on the short leg S.W toward Pantaenious which we rounded for the leg SE to Bishops Rock. Unfortunately flying the kite was short-lived (Chris Hill wasn't around to decide if we were all on the same page or not?!) so we moved to Gen 1 for a closer haul bearing SEE.

During the last 24 hours we have also had some unexpected visitors in the form of porpoises next to the boat...for most of this was great to see some other mammals other than our Team-mates.....for a few it did lead to some arousal and as for our Isle of Man friends we were assured at least one was a former 'ex' Mermaid partner!! We are quite a broad 'church'....

Currently doing 6.5 knots and 42 miles off BISH (as displayed on instrumentation): Bishops Rock.

Speak Soon

]]> Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:50:56 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/17/6-wednesday-17th-august-1230-hrs (@author) Tuesday 16th August 2106 Hrs /premierflair/posts/2011/8/16/5-tuesday-16th-august-2106-hrs

We got round the Lizard and Lands End yesterday at about 5pm.

Last night was a bit of a battle through a storm with 30 knot max winds and 2-3 m waves and rain to boot, but we over came this and today's conditions have become much lighter. The first part of the crossing was a 'fetch', ie close to the wind but not tightly close hauled, but the wind swung round from SW to NW and for the last 40 odd miles we have been beating up to to the Fastnet.

We have just passed the Fastnet (21:06) and now bearing onto 203 deg for the next leg to Pantaenious.

Well done team !!!!

]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:15:03 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/16/5-tuesday-16th-august-2106-hrs (@author) Monday 15th August 1245 hrs /premierflair/posts/2011/8/15/4-monday-15th-august-1245-hrs

Well, we had an interesting start, all 71 of us ... and then a competitive beat down the Solent, exiting the narrows at Hurst Point at around 1400 hrs. The wind picked up to 20-22 knots past the Shingles, the fell back to 18 knots from the SW once we got out into the Channel proper.

Then the long beat past Portland - we just made the tidal gate (phew! - so many bad memories from years gone bye..). So it was a full on night getting into the watch system, getting the boat down to Start Point for about 6am, then the wind dropped, and we have been trundling on our way to Lizard Point - currently 32 miles off.

A few have had minor bouts of 'maladie de la mer', but all are now well and on fine form. We have had the first round of the press-ups competition, and David McMeeking, not surprisingly holds the current record at 30 off !

]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:51:32 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/15/4-monday-15th-august-1245-hrs (@author) Sun 14 August 2011 1050 hrs /premierflair/posts/2011/8/14/3-sun-14-august-2011-1050-hrs

Good Morning Everyone

We have left Swanwick Marina, passed through the identity gate, where we had to show our storm sails and confirm our crew numbers.

The starting sequence has just commenced - the non IRC racers are going first - the big cats, Volvos etc., followed by the IRC classes in reverse order, ie. IRC4, 3, 2,1 etc. Our start will be at1210.

We have just enjoyed a delicious bacon butty and coffee is about to come up - so all going well.

The weather is sunny with puffy clouds and about 12 knots of wind from the SW.

Toodle pip.

]]> Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:58:08 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/14/3-sun-14-august-2011-1050-hrs (@author) Sat 13 August 2011 - 26 hours to go ... /premierflair/posts/2011/8/13/2-sat-13-august-2011-26-hours-to-go-

As ever a rally of getting last things done ... thanks to the Royal Mail for delivery a last minute package from Uxbridge - some unsung heros ...

I have some purchases to do at the chandlers in Swanwick, then its off to the Skipper's briefing in Cowes at 1600, before going down to the boat to see how everyone is getting on with final prep of the boat for tomorrow.

The weather forecast is interesting to say the least with predicted winds in the 10-20 knot range (this is fine for us), starting in the SW, then veering to the NW then back again to the SW by the time we get to Lands End !!! So we're going to have fun !!!!

Right - must dash

]]> Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:57:30 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/13/2-sat-13-august-2011-26-hours-to-go- (@author) The Journey so far ... /premierflair/posts/2011/8/3/1-the-journey-so-far-

Well the journey began in March this year when 7 newly enrolled sailors turned up at Swanwick Marina to join Premier Flair for the RORC 2011 Race Programme including the Fastnet.

Two weekends of training, follwed by the Cervantes Trophy race to Le Havre, then the legendry Myth of Malham (Cowes to Eddystone Light and back). This was followed by the Morgan Cup, which presented harsh conditions and due to gear failure we had to retire. The St Malo race in July was a delight and finally the Channel Race which we completed last weekend.

So now we are here, 3rd August, 11 days to go before the start ...

There is still a fair bit of preparation to be done, but this is all going well.

]]> Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:52:00 UTC /premierflair/posts/2011/8/3/1-the-journey-so-far- (@author)