June 23, 2007
The rain stayed away...but to be honest, getting to bed at midnight and being woken at 0350, did not really give the weather much chance to rain!!
I staggered around the boat for a while trying to wake up, then we set off to the start line. First job was to winch Fred up the mast....winching at 0430 is not pleasant...especially as Fred can climb faster than i can winch!!
The camera did not make it out until 0518. During the day, i took 300 pictures - none of which were really that good!
This is the type of boat i am on - a First 31.7, but ours is blue!
Our start was 0600 - some people started at 0500!!! 1753 boats were entered - never have i seen so many boats.
- the crew: John, Mick, Neale and Fred - Janet is down below - keeping us fed and watered!!
First view of the Needle:
There was some sunshine:
Around the Needles at about 0800, it was a good beat all the way - we beared away and set the kite for a LONG run to the other end of the island.
Boats everywhere - from one end of the island to the other - very impressive, but impossible to capture on an old compact digital camera!
Rolling video with discussion over the depth of the water at the needles
Round the eastern tip of the island and back to the start/finish. The weather was dry...but rain was looming. It was only a matter of time before it hit. A beat to the finish - in which time is lashed with rain, blew 20knots, dropped to 5knots and we were buzzed by the red arrows twice.
- they are the grey streak!!
We finished at 1452 - 8h 52 minutes later. Results - 7th in class, 168th out of 1753!!.
The ride home was wet (apparently) - i slept downstairs.
- a proud Fred and his yacht - Silver Gul.
More not very good pics here.
- Posted by thestowe on 24/06/2007.
- thestowe's site
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