Friday, 27 February 2009
Nisida 10th overall and 4th in class
Results of the Caribbean 600 are now published and are here http://caribbean600.rorc.org/results/2009/ov01.html. Nisida came a hugely creditable 10th overall and 4th out of 9 in class against some very tasty opposition.
Nisida finsihed Caribbean 600!
Nisida crossed the finishing line off Falmouth Harbour at 1438 local time, 75 hours 38 mins after starting on the 600 mile course. She was 14th of the 28 boats that started to finiish, and 5th of the 9 in class (IRC Z). First to finish in class, some 9 hours earlier, was Yeoman with LCSC member Louise Allhusen on board. There are no handicap results up - indeed currently no results of any sort and Nsida is now down on the tracking system as having finished 3rd in class so I think they are having problems with the website.
The last three legs saw them having an excellent battle with a French Class 40. These boats are lightening quick off the wind and overtook Nisi en route from Guadeloupe to the downwind mark west of Antigua, only for Nisida to overall them on the beat back up to the finish.
We spent yesterday evening watching their finish, via the fabulous tracking system, in the club bar. Peter was sending excited texts about catching the French while Joe Cross, out in Malta, was also glued to the tracker. Peter phoned me at midnight our time (8pm local) to say they'd put the boat away and were off to get outside some beers. The bar was promised to be open all night and with several boats due to finish last night I'm sure the partying went on for a while. No word yet today....
The last three legs saw them having an excellent battle with a French Class 40. These boats are lightening quick off the wind and overtook Nisi en route from Guadeloupe to the downwind mark west of Antigua, only for Nisida to overall them on the beat back up to the finish.
We spent yesterday evening watching their finish, via the fabulous tracking system, in the club bar. Peter was sending excited texts about catching the French while Joe Cross, out in Malta, was also glued to the tracker. Peter phoned me at midnight our time (8pm local) to say they'd put the boat away and were off to get outside some beers. The bar was promised to be open all night and with several boats due to finish last night I'm sure the partying went on for a while. No word yet today....
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Nisida's crew hope to be back in the bar this evening
Update from Peter to RORC this morning
We rounded North Sails mark at 0648. The Class 40 FRA6 was just ahead. 2 unidentified boats astern. Out of range for mobile phone, hence the email. Had reacing spi up for a while but the wind has now veered a bit so we're just white-sail reaching; 20' to Redonda. ETA at finish...this evening sometime.
He also commented on Scuttlebutt's confusion which I sent them copy of:-
This is very flattering. Anyway, in the best traditions of journalism, 'never let the truth get in the way of a good story'
We rounded North Sails mark at 0648. The Class 40 FRA6 was just ahead. 2 unidentified boats astern. Out of range for mobile phone, hence the email. Had reacing spi up for a while but the wind has now veered a bit so we're just white-sail reaching; 20' to Redonda. ETA at finish...this evening sometime.
He also commented on Scuttlebutt's confusion which I sent them copy of:-
This is very flattering. Anyway, in the best traditions of journalism, 'never let the truth get in the way of a good story'
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Scuttlebutt confused!
I've just been sent this email by Andy Oliver taken off Scuttlebutts' website. I've sent it to the crew to amuse them. I've explained to them that the tracking system had got confused - bit it's jolly nice that Scuttlebutts knew what else we've done.
In Class Zero, Peter Hopps' GY51, Nisida is in pole position. The boat races all over the world and won class in last year's Rolex Middle Sea Race. David Aisher's Rogers 46, Yeoman XXXII has had a set back after their terrific start: "During the night we got hit by a squall blowing out the A3 spinnaker." Commented David Aisher. "We were without a spinnaker for three hours but have now rounded the top of St. Martin and are screaming along at 20 knots plus on our way to Guadeloupe."
The one and only retirement so far is in Class Zero is Edward Krubasik's First 47.7, Gilly B who pulled into St. Eustacia over night. They have a broken gooseneck but all are well on board, if a little disappointed.
In Class Zero, Peter Hopps' GY51, Nisida is in pole position. The boat races all over the world and won class in last year's Rolex Middle Sea Race. David Aisher's Rogers 46, Yeoman XXXII has had a set back after their terrific start: "During the night we got hit by a squall blowing out the A3 spinnaker." Commented David Aisher. "We were without a spinnaker for three hours but have now rounded the top of St. Martin and are screaming along at 20 knots plus on our way to Guadeloupe."
The one and only retirement so far is in Class Zero is Edward Krubasik's First 47.7, Gilly B who pulled into St. Eustacia over night. They have a broken gooseneck but all are well on board, if a little disappointed.
Nisida south of Guadeloupe
Latest from Peter. My panic this morning that they would get becalmed on the west of the island was unfounded - but clearly it's been tricky since. They were doing over 11 knots at one point so it also must have been fun at times.
Agonisingly slow here at S end of Guadaloupe. Going a bit better now, but I don't expect to get round Desirade before about 9pm. After that we have a 95M reach to Barbuda, a 40M reach to Redonda, then a 40M beat to the finish. ETA sometime tomorrow evening.
Saw Isis earlier but everyone seems to have split here and we can't see anyone; no doubt we'll all meet again at Desirade. It's been hard work today, beating into F5-6 - hence not much comms. Hope it's fun watching...
Agonisingly slow here at S end of Guadaloupe. Going a bit better now, but I don't expect to get round Desirade before about 9pm. After that we have a 95M reach to Barbuda, a 40M reach to Redonda, then a 40M beat to the finish. ETA sometime tomorrow evening.
Saw Isis earlier but everyone seems to have split here and we can't see anyone; no doubt we'll all meet again at Desirade. It's been hard work today, beating into F5-6 - hence not much comms. Hope it's fun watching...
Update on progress
I got this brief email from Peter last night
As we passed St. Barts on the way out we saw Lee Ovrlay Partners coming the other way. Have spent the day going round St. Martens and are now on our way to Guadaloupe. On port tack, not quiye hard on but heling a lot making typing difficult.
It is a v scenic course and we have managed to pass most of the interesting places in daylight. I doubt if we're doing very well, but everyone is happy and they are enjoying themselves.
That will have to do for now.
Pete's clealry having a rather busier race than was the ARC (fair enough - we only tacked once and the boat was nice and upright the whole time). I'm hoping he's not finally getting some rest this morning as he's approaching Guadeloupe where there are clearly big wind shadows - boats ahead that are close in are doing c. 2 knots and Yeoman ahead of them did a big dive out after nearly stopping.
Spirit of Isis (not far ahead of Nisida) was clealry given the heads up on this as they've done an early dive west - I'm just hoping that Peter has seen this at daylight and follows them.
And they're not doing as badly as Peter fears (against very tasty competition they are mid fleet) - I think lots are having problems with wind shadows (something we've had a lot of practice with in the Med) - these volcanic islands are high!
As we passed St. Barts on the way out we saw Lee Ovrlay Partners coming the other way. Have spent the day going round St. Martens and are now on our way to Guadaloupe. On port tack, not quiye hard on but heling a lot making typing difficult.
It is a v scenic course and we have managed to pass most of the interesting places in daylight. I doubt if we're doing very well, but everyone is happy and they are enjoying themselves.
That will have to do for now.
Pete's clealry having a rather busier race than was the ARC (fair enough - we only tacked once and the boat was nice and upright the whole time). I'm hoping he's not finally getting some rest this morning as he's approaching Guadeloupe where there are clearly big wind shadows - boats ahead that are close in are doing c. 2 knots and Yeoman ahead of them did a big dive out after nearly stopping.
Spirit of Isis (not far ahead of Nisida) was clealry given the heads up on this as they've done an early dive west - I'm just hoping that Peter has seen this at daylight and follows them.
And they're not doing as badly as Peter fears (against very tasty competition they are mid fleet) - I think lots are having problems with wind shadows (something we've had a lot of practice with in the Med) - these volcanic islands are high!
Monday, 23 February 2009
Update from on board Nisida at 1916 our time today
Started ok but then the ring on the tack fitting for the headsail pulled out - a problem quickly solved but it marred the start a bit. Now approx 9M from the turning mark off Barbuda.
We have Gilly B in sight astern and a Class 40 which recently overtook us ahead. Glorious sailing - beam reaching in about 17-18 apparent.
All happy on board - sitting around on deck in a v Caribbean sort of way.
That's all for now.
Peter
We have Gilly B in sight astern and a Class 40 which recently overtook us ahead. Glorious sailing - beam reaching in about 17-18 apparent.
All happy on board - sitting around on deck in a v Caribbean sort of way.
That's all for now.
Peter
Sunday, 22 February 2009
RORC Caribbean 600
Nisida is currently in Antigua and wil start the new 600 mile RORC race round the Caribbean on Monday 23rd February - see http://caribbean600.rorc.org/. You can follow her progress on the race tracker - http://caribbean600.rorc.org/blog/race-information/tracking/index.html.
I'm expecting Peter to send emails during the race and I'll be posting these here.
I'm expecting Peter to send emails during the race and I'll be posting these here.
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