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.