Day 2 – we flew the kite overnight but by the morning we were close hauled heading down the coast. Tom on the helm, Dave trimming mainsheet, Ralph reading, Helen sunbathing, not sure who the feet and baggy shorts belong to.
Approaching the Eddystone. Our two principal rivals in Class One tacked inshore and failed to leave it to starboard, so we protested on the basis that all islands and rocks that didn’t cover at high water should be left to starboard. Subsequently Tom, a flag officer of RORC at the time, was persuaded to withdraw the protest – reflecting the likelihood that the rocks under the stump of Smeaton’s Lighthouse would now cover as a consequence of global warming. However, subsequent advice from legal experts confirms that the remains of the lighthouse would now be regarded in maritime law as part of the reef. Consequence of the extra distance sailed was that we arrived later at each corner which compounded the disadvantage of the wind changes – so we should have persisted and would have won!
Bob, Sarah, Dave and Tom on the weather rail
Skipper takes a kip
Second night – Tom on helm
Second night – Helen, Dave, Chris, Ralph
Chris and Dave on third morning, still heading west, with forecast indicating wind going into north as we pass Bishop Rock