GHOST

Well not much can be said for the weekend by ways of a debrief, but there is a great story!! For those that couldn't be with us, we had a hell of a time. First there was the matter of rounding the first buoy (just off Portland Bill), I'm sure it was moving!! But we eventually did catch it and round it about 2100 (interestingly this was about the time that Leopard 3 took line honours and made for the pub. I knew I heard someone yell "round of lagers for 40 please"!!)Then on the returning eastbound leg, when we hoped to be running down wind (one would expect to after beating in to a WSW) we found the wind backing to come more out of the SW so we couldn't carry the kite, hence back up with the jib.

Alas, this was not the end of it. At about 2230 it all hit the fan when the shackle holding to the Jib to the collar broke, released, basically disappeared and as a result we had a full jib hanging over the side (Laura recalled seeing the head of the sail off the port quarter!!). Hauled back on deck we put the heavy weather job up and continued. However, considering we already had a enough miles already completed for the Fastnet, we decided to make for home and retired rather than prolong it into the following afternoon. Sailing back to the Needles Channel was "fun", trailing sea (which was against tide) and gusts of up to 40kns made for hectic 30mins stints on the helm.

At 2am at the change of the watch just outside the narrow Needles Channel we attempted to lower the main to maintain steerage under power, but couldn't. A lazy jack had become caught in one of the cars, so the damn thing wasn't coming down. We aborted and headed back to sea while putting the 2nd reef back in, which was short lived as the mast block on the single line reefing exploded. Luckily we had the 3rd reef strop that could be rigged instead to hold the 2nd reef in place (following me!!). After cutting the lazy jacks in about 100 places to ensure nothing was over the side (engine was on) and staring at the problem we raised the main, pulled on the lazy jack and hoorah it freed!! Main to the deck, we motored against tide into the Needles Channel. I think a few of us spent more time on the foredeck than in the cockpit that night.

But not to worry, the jib was an easy fix (and allowed for the for some nice pics from the head or the mast!); the relevant blocks are on order (with spares). But importantly I think everyone learned something about rough weather sailing, but importantly proved to themselves and the team that we can sort these problems out safely and carry on. Personally, although I feel like I was run down by a freight train, there is as much (perhaps more) satisfaction in having contended with these issues and come safely out the other side as there is in finishing some dodgy little channel race (who's bitter!!!).