| Finishing |
| Friday, 14 May 2004 |
We are one hour from the finish in Calais, cutting across the Channel at 11 knots. The course took us round a turning mark at Dover where there was a timekeeper as the fleet are each trying to break the cross Channel record as part of the Calais 1000 Race.
Ecover is certain of second place as Bonduelle finished 3 hours ago. The others are over 100 miles back.
It’s been a fascinating race, especially on the close first half to Ireland. At the Rock tiny differences in position magnified into enormous gaps as the boats crossed back to Lands End. It was galling for us to lose 30 miles to Bonduelle, but for Virbac and PRB it must have felt devastatingly unfair. It can be a capricious sport.
We had a great atmosphere on board and learnt a good deal about the boat, we will be having a big debrief after we dock to discuss all we learnt and to make the boat as well prepared for Mike in The Transat (and ultimately the Vendee), as possible. These races are all about preparation, leaving no stone unturned, and knowing your boat perfectly. It is likely that the winner of the Vendee will be one of the boats racing in this race, and one of the boats launched in the last year - I hope it will be Ecover!
Next for me will be the Quebec to St Malo in July with Karine Fauconnier and my old friend and watchmate from Cheyenne, Damian Foxall. We will be sailing the 60 foot trimaran Sergio Tachini.
Brian
|
Email this page to a friend
|
