We aren't racers. Too lazy. Not good at the tactics. Roaring Girl is a heavy boat, full of stuff. Ketches don't do as well to windward as a sloop. Did we say 'lazy'!
But like any sailor, spot a similar boat going in the same direction and inevitably one tries. As we sailed east, past the passage leading to La Maddalena town, a very similar boat emerged, at the time sailing on mizzen and genoa alone. We found the freshening breeze first and were soon bowling along at a good 5 kts. The other boat saw us and hoisted their main. We were on. No worries about heeling; we cranked in the sheets and pushed our old girl to do her best. It still wasn't very fast, even on the flat sea, as the breeze remained light and we were close-hauled.
Much to our delight, on a straight course, we kept our lead. Slowly we turned into Passo di Bisci, the half-mile wide strait between the eponymous island (no landing permitted) and the north eastern tip of Sardinia known as Cap Ferro. We tacked and tacked and tacked to weather through there, hauling on sheets, watching the depth, a sharp eye out for rocks. Very hard work in the heat, but eventually we were through. This is the lighthouse on the cape, very close in. We were still in 12m of water.
No, we wouldn't have done it without the competitive spur. That's what engines are for.