This year, the club’s had just a single entry in the ‘around the island’ race, but hey what a team. The crew aboard Ariam, a 34 foot Maxi were
Skipper- Gilad
Navigator and Barman – Phil
Helm – Sam
Entertainments Officer – Sandy
Head Chef – Jackie
Cabin Boy 2nd Class – Richard
The weekend started by a dash down to the Hamble friday afternoon. However, the dash rapidly turned into a crawl as what seamed like half of London, decided to escort us out of London and on the M3.
Ship’s Log
Friday
Upon arrival at Hamble Point, we undertook a detailed ship’s survey to ensure that the boat could carry the three tons of food Jackie and Sandy brought without sinking. Cleary, they had miss-read the brief Gilad gave them on provisioning, they were only asked to bring sufficient food for us, and not for every boat entering the race.
After making the boat ready, removing the anchor from the bow (in preparation for the race), hoisting our flags, etc, we set sail for East Cowes at about 6.30 pm. After a pleasant sail across in light winds and sunshine, we were met by Sam, who came out on river taxi escorted us into the marina. Sam tried to claimed he was acting as our pilot and making sure we could find our berth!
As soon as we tied up, Phil got out his magic box and stated to mix a few cocktails. At about 10 pm, after being fuelled by Phil’s delicious fire water, we sat down for the serious business of a friday night meal. Yes, we had the full monty including Candles; Palwins no 4 wine; Challa; Chicken; etc.
Saturday
Gilad had the cheek to say we had to get up at 05.30. So after a lengthy period of high level negotiations the night before, we got up at 05.45.
Following a light breakfast (though I’m not so sure the volume of food consumed could be measured by such terms), we set off for the start line. After a clever piece of positioning by our skipper, we got off to a flying start towards the head of our class, crossing the line at 07.20.
For those who may be interested in the technical side, the wind was around force 5 for most of the race and blowing south-southwest.
With the wind picking up, just before Hurst Castle, we put a reef in the main sail. This proved to be an astute call, as most of the boats going around the Needles were over canvassed and struggling to hold their course.
By around 09.30, we started to pass the Needles and due to some really skilful helming by Sam, we were now over taking boats that started 20 minutes before us. By the time we reached St Catherine’s Point, we were over-taking boats that had gone off three start times before us.
Our tacticians Gilad and Phil wisely set a course taking us away from the shoreline. This tack meant we kept out of the fleet, missing the need to continuously tack in order to avoid other boats and getting caught in the foul-air of other boats.
As we passed St Catherine’s Point, we started to work our way towards the island. By the time we reached Bembridge, we were on the outside edge of the main pack. By now unless we over took bigger and supposedly faster boats, we couldn’t be bothered to take any notice of the many boats we sailed past.
The next leg from Bembridge to the Forts, we goose-winged. About 400 meters before the island-side fort, we changed tack passing the fort on our port-side. Then we went hell for leather for the line.
Boat after boat had the pleasure of seeing the stern of our boat. For some reason, another three boats in our division decided to race us to the line, (what fools). Without any effort, we glided past the first boat. The second boat a classic wooded mast cruiser, made us work hard before we gave them the slip. But the best was saved for last. A 38′ boat was merrily making its way, thinking they had seen off all the boats flying white racing flags, only for us to creep up and pass it about 300m from the finish line.
The rain held off until we crossed the finish line. We didn’t even have a chance to drop our sails before the skies opened, but our jubilance at finishing in such style meant the rain didn’t bother us.
Without doubt, it was the extra canvas we carried i.e. both the Israeli and Welsh flags together with the club burgee, gave us the extra speed to go around the island and set what’s probably a club record of 7 hours, 51 minutes and 36 seconds. I have to report that some ungentlemanly comments were made by all but one member of the crew about the flag with the red dragon and in particular, the suggestions made by our navigator as to where the place the flag were not only cruel, but also physically impossible!!!
Once we got back into our berth at East Cowes, out came the first bottle of bubbly. This was soon followed by a second bottle, which kinda felt like the right thing to do. Thereafter, in addition to the odd cup of tea and coffee, some beverages with slight alcoholic undertone, were consumed before, during and after our meal and indeed for the rest of the night.
Later that evening, we went over to the Island Sailing Club to find out our finish place. We came 9th out of 66 boats in our class, which really was the icing on the cake, after completing the course in such a fast time. Seeing name of our boat, skipper and time on the boards and on the screens was a perfect end to a wonderful day. Buoyed on by this, we felt it was our duty to let everyone in competitors tent know how well we had done and how pleased we were of ourselves!!!
Sunday
Phil and Sandy jump ship in the morning. Phil went off to meet up with Frank to go to Fennlla & Lester’s wedding (mazel tov to the happy couple), before setting sail for the channel islands. Whilst Sandy headed back to London to attend a community award event.
The rest us did breakfast, which was quite a production. Following yet another injection of food and coffee, we headed off to sea. The sun was out and the wind was blowing 5/6, so we were all happy little sailors. In the afternoon, we took the boat back to its home port and then had yet another three course meal.
The HSSC is famous for its food, however without doubt, Jackie and Sandy surpassed themselves and went above and beyond the call of duty, providing us wonderful hot meals and non-stop food and drink throughout the weekend.
As with all good things, the weekend came to an end. The sense of achievement and the great company meant even though the journey back to London was horrible, we were comforted by knowing we had a brilliant weekend and a wonderful sailing experience.
Richard Marks