On Friday the Wildfire crew started to assemble on the boat over on Shepard's Wharf in Cowes. The last crew member joined the boat slightly late on in the evening but was welcomed onboard none the less.
The crew welcomed Saturday morning with the kind of fresh enthusiasm and vigour that most sailing crews have at the start of a regatta - that enthusiasm would be tested in the following hours.
A 0715 start in Cowes and 24-25kts meant the 85 mile beat to Dartmouth looked like it would be tough. I'm sure a few hearts sank, just a little at that point. Chris Hogg, racing on wooden boat Alchemist, had to retire just 4 miles into the race with a broken forestay. Kathy Claydon, also racing in Jog Week, had some technical problems with the boat on the trip to Dartmouth but managed to overcome them double handed.
How long does it take to beat from Cowes to Dartmouth? 17 hrs
Speaking to the crew after the race I got some comments:
Experienced sailor Ian Cheke:
Didn't enjoy it.
Mercurial talent Rob Horton:
The bit before was good, the bit afterwards was great. It was the bit in the middle that was awful.
Skipper Steve Brackley:
Wildfires local knowledge helped us get around the bill in a quick efficient manner.
One big highlight of the first race was the waving public on Portland bill giving a boost to morale for the trip across Lyme Bay. The other was the fantastic sunset.
Part 2 to follow ... Results at www.jog.org.uk
Submitted on 10th July 2014