Marco Nannini's blog

the race is almost over with under 20 miles to go and good speed on this
last leg from lampedusa to malta... the race was slow, beating on all
legs but the one from malta to sicily and this last one... choppy seas,
strong and variable winds, issues with the water ballast (now resolved)
made for a much slower passage than anticipated. we hear over 20 of the
entrants have retired, which is no surprise as this must have made for a
much tougher race than many mediterranean sailors would normally bargain
for...

Two of five crew suffered from sea sickness, one has been incapacitated

Just about an hour ago we passed the black volcanic island where i used
to go on holiday as a kid, i've been to the eolian isands countless
times, but never had to round them as a mark on a course...

Last night was not one of the easiest, as we approached capo passero
under masthead kite we were hit by up to 45kt true which made for some
excitement...

The start was a bit slow for us as we got glued to the light airs
approaching the second photographers buoy, from then on a fetch under
code 0 then a massive shift and the big kite...

image: 

British Beagle is up for sale, extremely seaworthy and equipped, prepared to top specs for any offshore challenge, RBI, AZAB or OSTAR 2013. Very competitive in IRC, line honours in Jester class and 4th overall on corrected time in OSTAR 2009 with an elapsed time of 21d 23h 44'. Selling to finance next sailing project.

British Beagle is a modified Sigma 36 with upgrades including:

New Hugh Welbourne design keel, all lead (2006)
New Selden mast, 2 set of spreaders, dyform rigging (2008)
New Hugh Welbourne design rudder, 200mm deeper, excellent grip and balance (2008)

I crossed the line this morning at 07:14:30 EDT (11:14:30 UT) completing OSTAR in 21d 23h 44' 30', first boat in Jester class.

Who would have imagined i could be the first boat to finish in my class, or that it would take me under 22 days...

Now it's time to settle in Newport, get used to terra firma and start the long awaited parties!

I have now passed my waypoint on Georges banks and I'm heading for
Nomans Land island then the finish.

As things go in racing, the first waypoint i set was clear of any
shallow waters, then as Tamarind and Jager kept breathing on my neck I
chose another one much further in, skirting two banks near the Old South
Shoal, clear of a name with the suggestive name "Great Rip"...

Approaching the banks the seastate was extremely confused as at that
stage it was wind against tide, the waves that form, similar to those
found for example near the Needles or many other headlands like Portland

So, here i am chugging along real slow, I started stiching the heavy
spinnaker, but the tears are so extensive, probably 15m to put together
that i am not sure how long it could take me an whether it would hold at
all... meanwhile the wind backed a little, so that even though at
reduced speed under poled out A1 assymetric i can lay there i want to
go... if it keeps backing then i'll be fine under assymetric. I have 140
miles to go and 24 hours to make it in 22 days.

No wind and no spini make Jack a dull boy No wind and no spini make Jack
a dull boy No wind and no spini make Jack a dull boy No wind and no
spini make Jack a dull boy No wind and no spini make Jack a dull boy No
wind and no spini make Jack a dull boy No wind and no spini make Jack a
dull boy No wind and no spini make Jack a dull boy No wind and no spini
make Jack a dull boy No wind and no spini make Jack a dull boy No wind
and no spini make Jack a dull boy

I'm flying the assymeytric with the tack poled out in an intricate
tangle of ropes to be able to go deeper than the 110 degrees

Without a spinnaker and just an assymetric on board i found myself
sailing higher than the rest of the fleet, pushing me uwillingly north
of the rhumb line and in a tricky position to steer for Nantucket
shoals, it's dead downwind for the whole of us. So far the speed has
been better sailing higher hence i have not lost anything to FanFan and
Tamarind, just, i'm in a different place now. But, there is a glimmer of
hope, the wind has veered and i can just, just hold a meaningful course
on the other tack... i.e.