What an exhilarating day.
An early start with Declan Curry on BBC Breakfast TV at 6.15 meant we were up at 5.00. Glad I don't have his job! Spoke a bit about how our first race was and also about how we managed to get the boat and ourselves to Milford Haven before anyone else. All down to "Mission Control".
At the race briefing we were told that we had to go outside the exclusion zones which had endangered species of birds and other wildlife. A bit of a pain as it is a lot longer round. Disqualification for anyone who didn't do so and of course with the Marine Track, you are easily seen. Miranda got to work getting the waypoints in and we planned our route. We felt there was still going to be a big swell in the middle of the Irish Sea so in order to maintain a fast speed, we decided we would head across to Ireland near Wicklow and then head up North in the lee of Ireland.
The start was pretty dramatic with all the boats close on the start line and the lead boat heading off at quite a pace. The seas were still very rough and very confused and we stayed back and kept clear. Boats were really struggling in these conditions and we were slamming continuously. There was no pattern to the waves and just when you thought you got it, a monster wave appeared from nowhere. We were quite bashed around at this point to took it at our own pace.
Having rounded the Smalls, which is a rocky outcrop off Milford Haven, we set of across the Irish Sea and conditions improved. We were able to get up to about 40/45 knots at times and the felt comfortable. As soon as were were near Ireland, the sea levelled out comletely and we just went flat out at 50/52 knots all the way to the finish. The sun came out and the only thing missing was our ipod.
We saw dolphins on our way out and luckily they were not too near to the boat. Later on I got hit by a seagull on the head. The bird had just taken off infront of the boat and only just cleared the foredeck but unfortunately my head was in the way. If I hadn't had my helmet on, it would have probably knocked me out! I'm not sure what happened to the seagull.
Miranda has decided not to point out other boats or land as I have an extraordinary tendancy to steer towards them. At one point another boat crossed behind us quite closely and it is amazing how you suddenly want to really push the boat. It is really hard to focus on anything other than straight ahead, looking out for waves and lobster pots in the water.
Trying to have a drink of water is a hoot. It is virtually impossible to drink at 50 knots and water goes everywhere. The boat is shaking so vigourously that you cannot lift your hand. Eating is even more difficult. We knew that we could do quite well on this leg so we were reluctant to slow down.
As we rounded the corner into Bangor we saw several other boats and had a fantastic run in with them. We managed to pip them to the post as they hadn't plotted the finish on their GPS (Miranda had) so they didn't know where to go. Follow us boys! Anyhow, it looks as though we are 9th overall and 3rd in class at the moment which we are really pleased with.
We quickly refuelled and had to fix the anchor locker which had become loose. The nuts that hold the hinge had come undone and so we fixed this.
Just had a lovely hot bath - bliss. Neck and shoulders are very, very stiff. Glass of wine next.
An early start with Declan Curry on BBC Breakfast TV at 6.15 meant we were up at 5.00. Glad I don't have his job! Spoke a bit about how our first race was and also about how we managed to get the boat and ourselves to Milford Haven before anyone else. All down to "Mission Control".
At the race briefing we were told that we had to go outside the exclusion zones which had endangered species of birds and other wildlife. A bit of a pain as it is a lot longer round. Disqualification for anyone who didn't do so and of course with the Marine Track, you are easily seen. Miranda got to work getting the waypoints in and we planned our route. We felt there was still going to be a big swell in the middle of the Irish Sea so in order to maintain a fast speed, we decided we would head across to Ireland near Wicklow and then head up North in the lee of Ireland.
The start was pretty dramatic with all the boats close on the start line and the lead boat heading off at quite a pace. The seas were still very rough and very confused and we stayed back and kept clear. Boats were really struggling in these conditions and we were slamming continuously. There was no pattern to the waves and just when you thought you got it, a monster wave appeared from nowhere. We were quite bashed around at this point to took it at our own pace.
Having rounded the Smalls, which is a rocky outcrop off Milford Haven, we set of across the Irish Sea and conditions improved. We were able to get up to about 40/45 knots at times and the felt comfortable. As soon as were were near Ireland, the sea levelled out comletely and we just went flat out at 50/52 knots all the way to the finish. The sun came out and the only thing missing was our ipod.
We saw dolphins on our way out and luckily they were not too near to the boat. Later on I got hit by a seagull on the head. The bird had just taken off infront of the boat and only just cleared the foredeck but unfortunately my head was in the way. If I hadn't had my helmet on, it would have probably knocked me out! I'm not sure what happened to the seagull.
Miranda has decided not to point out other boats or land as I have an extraordinary tendancy to steer towards them. At one point another boat crossed behind us quite closely and it is amazing how you suddenly want to really push the boat. It is really hard to focus on anything other than straight ahead, looking out for waves and lobster pots in the water.
Trying to have a drink of water is a hoot. It is virtually impossible to drink at 50 knots and water goes everywhere. The boat is shaking so vigourously that you cannot lift your hand. Eating is even more difficult. We knew that we could do quite well on this leg so we were reluctant to slow down.
As we rounded the corner into Bangor we saw several other boats and had a fantastic run in with them. We managed to pip them to the post as they hadn't plotted the finish on their GPS (Miranda had) so they didn't know where to go. Follow us boys! Anyhow, it looks as though we are 9th overall and 3rd in class at the moment which we are really pleased with.
We quickly refuelled and had to fix the anchor locker which had become loose. The nuts that hold the hinge had come undone and so we fixed this.
Just had a lovely hot bath - bliss. Neck and shoulders are very, very stiff. Glass of wine next.
4 comments:
Hi Sarah
Fantastic result, you must need a case of wine not just a glass, keep it up, love Penny
Well done Sarah and Miranda!
You are a great credit to yourselves and all your organisatioin.
Much enjoying your blog.
Don't knock the Scottish rocks!
Take care
much love
Grannie and Himself
Brilliant! You're a natural blogger Sarah. Best of British to you both and keep up the excellent progress. We're with you in spirit! Peta x
Hi Sarah.
Your Blog is such a good read that the address has been passed to the selected few in the Dubois office (I hope you don’t mind too much?). You are a natural at the descriptions and each morning you provide me with an excellent bit of escapism into the world of powerboating round Brittan! Well done to you for keeping the boat going fast and well done to Miranda for keeping this great speed in the right direction! Thanks for keeping us up to date and we are all routing for you.
Love Alasdair xx
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