MINI – FASTNET 2004
13-20 June – Douarnenez to Fastnet Rock and back
The Course - 750 nautical miles
The race left Douarnenez on
Sunday 16th at 3:10pm for the trip to the Fastnet Rock and back, passing
between Land’s End and the Scilly Isles, some 700nm (although I logged
825!). It was quite an experience, luckily with moderate winds and flattish
seas. However beating into the wind for three days was not something I would
recommend and rounding the Fastnet and easing sheets was quite a pleasure.
The next two days were all downhill and it was great to see four other boats
with us at the finish line. During the race we managed to blow two blocks,
break the SSB radio and lose the navigation lights. The pilot remote control
has also stopped working. When we got to the finish we realised that this
was all quite minor… there were broken masts all over the place.
Pete and I crossed the finish line at 03.00, after five days eleven hours
and fifty minutes and in 68TH place……… exhausted! The quay was buzzing
though and we were soon sitting down to the biggest bowl of paella I have
ever seen and a bottle of the local red. I had hoped to have a good night’s
sleep prior to coming home but in fact had to get up at 02.30 to make sure
that Eddie Higgs (GBR423 GUSTO) and I caught the St.Malo – Weymouth ferry.
I realised afterwards that I had travelled further non-stop during the race
than I have ever travelled non-stop in a car before, and all at six miles
per hour!
As I write this, on the following Wednesday, I am still very tired but
satisfied that the race went well. My thanks go to the Winches club in
Douarnenez for their fantastic organisation and hospitality and of course to
Pete for his assistance and patience, and just to prove we were there...
Thanks to Glen
Le Cheminant
for this fantastic picture and the others under 'photos'.
