We were supposed to be taking 'Caminata', Anne (YCC secretary) and Thierry's boat, but crew shortage on the slightly larger 'Protocol', a Beneteau First Europe, meant that we all went on her instead. From the short spinnaker leg out to the Eastern entrance is was clear that 'Protocol' was a very powerful boat, with a very experienced crew aboard for the crossing - and me!
As night fell, the two halves of the fleet, which had separated to leave either by the west or east of the grande Rade, slowly came together as we approached the 'rails' (shipping lanes). A WSW Force 4-5 meant everyone was reaching fast, and we made rapid progress through the traffic, with only one slight detour to avoid a ship we had got quite close to!
'Protocol' was making about 7 knots over the flood, and by the small hours Portland became increasingly clear ahead, then - BANG! With a very loud and expensive noise, the boom snapped at the kicker. We soon got the main down and everything lashed, and Philippe Bard, the owner, decided he wanted to get the boat back to France without going any further north, so, having radioed Portland Coastguard to get them to contact the YCC support boat, whom we were unable to raise on VHF, we tacked and set course for home, Fortunately I was helming for the next couple of hours, so I could resist the temptation to turn round and watch 'home' vanishing astern!
The weather deteriorated steadily, and by daylight we were broad-reaching in a Force 6 with big seas and, eventually, heavy rain - the forecast occluded front had arrived. By now fatigue, cold and sea-sickness were beginning to take their toll, though 'Protocol' behaved impeccably in the conditions, even with the nasty wind over tide lumpiness mid-ebb (that spring-tide delight the Channel serves up without fail), and we made good time back, arriving in the marina at 11 o'clock. Having packed the boat away, we went back to Anne and Thierry's house at Urville to eat the chilli con carne that Jean-Luc had made to eat in Weymouth. Sitting around the table we were happy to have survived the experience with no further problems, and for me the disappointment of not finishing the race in Weymouth was more than compensated for by the sense that I had made a number of new friends (and brought my personal record of Channel crossings in a year to 8 rather than 7!)
For the others, the race ended without incident, and the WSC clubhouse was packed with YCC members for the second year running, and Mark and Eric Le Roi exchanged burgees to confirm the link between the clubs. YCC members were keen to try our local beers and, of course, Peter and Ali's cooking. Next year is already being discussed, and hopefully we can involve more WSC members/boats in the event.
Footnote - Sunday's strong wind and rough seas meant another challenging crossing for YCC members going home, though a number of boats achieved times under 8 hours, the fastest, the Grand Surprise of the Lycee Maritime, being 6 hours 34 minutes! The spinnakers flying in the shelter of Portland were soon dropped and reefs put in, for a rough crossing in 35 knots at times. It's good to know everyone got back in one piece. For a report and pictures from YCC , see http://yc-cherbourg.com/weymouth.php
Steve Fraser
Submitted on 19th September 2011