A Close Shave

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I promised after the finish that I would go back and fill in the gaps of the
final two days of the race. When I last gave a proper blog, Oscar had
overtaken me with his bold move North, leaving me with a lot of miles to
catch up and the countdown to the finish getting more and more stressful.

I knew that tactically Oscar had trumped me by getting into the other
weather system earlier, and that I effectively had one big move left before
the finish. I pushed Dinah to run as deep as she would possibly go. I knew
Oscar would have to sail at much higher angles due to his assymetric sails,
and that running deep should at least get me into the same water, and the
same weather as him. Once in the same conditions, I was comfortable that I
could outsail him boat for boat. Dinah rose to the challenge, running at
155/160 degrees apparent wind through the night, at speeds well above her
polars for those light airs.

By the time we were crossing Nantucket shoals, Oscar was reported 15 miles
behind, and we switched back to defensive sailing. I was very uneasy though,
as we were relying on unofficial position reports due to Oscars difficulties
with his tracker. Just before sunset I was taking a moment to admire the
Nantucket shoreline through binoculars, when I spotted a spinnaker on the
horizon. Fearful that there had been a mistake in the position I had been
given for Oscar, I sailed really aggressively thorough the night, especially
along the coast of Martha's Vineyard.

As the sun came up it became clear that the boat I had been fighting against
all night was not Oscar, but in fact Luca Zoccoli, from the class above
me... Dinah really was punching above her weight! A light airs beat into
Newport against the tide saw the result of many years racing in similar
conditions in Cork Harbour pay off handsomely, allowing Dinah to pass Luca,
short tacking up the shore, and finishing ahead of him on the water, despite
the Open 35 being a much more powerful boat.

At 10.05 UT, Dinah crossed the finish line at Castle Hill lighthouse on the
Western shore of Naragansett Harbour. She finished 4 minutes ahead of Luca
Zoccoli on the open 35, and 2hrs 32min ahead of Oscar Mead on "King of
Shaves" to win her class by 33min 12sec.

Coming ashore was an emotional experience, with friends, family and fellow
skippers there on the dock. Sirens, cannons, cheering. It was very very
overwhelming after 20 days of solitude. One of the wonderful demonstrations
of the Corinthian spirit of this event is that the skippers go out to help
the following skippers to come in from the finish line, put away sails, find
those fenders that were last seen three weeks before, provide direction into
the harbour, and most importantly deliver that all important first drink as
a fully fledged member of the Half Crown Club. The atmosphere in Newport is
just amazing, and the celebrations begin afresh with every new boat that
arrives.

Messages of goodwill have been flooding in from around the globe. Sadly the
waterproof pouch for my mobile phone failed to keep out the North Atlantic,
and so as a result I have lost all my contact numbers and emaiol addresses.
So many messages have come in from people, and I simply don't know who
they're from! Apologies to anybody that didn't get a personal response, but
at least now you know why. Please everybody do send a text and put your name
on it so that I can start building up my address book again.

The last of the tv, radio, and newspaper interviews are now complete. The
reaction from the public has been amazing. Two gestures in particular stand
out. Northport Yacht Club in Maine, seem to have adopted me as one of their
own. Jim Coughlin, drove all the way down here to see me and my family,
bringing gifts including a marvellous letter from the Northport Commodore,
and a Northport Yacht Club burgee. Also, Cove Sailing Club, my first ever
club in Ireland where I grew up and where I was once a committee member,
have made me an honorary member and also sent a club burgee. Both burgees
are now flying with pride on Dinah, and I am quite humbled everytime I see
them.

Thanks to all for the many messages and gestures of goodwill. I will
treasure them always. This photo was taken as I stepped off the pontoon
having been handed one of the many tricolours that were there to mark the
arrival of the only Irishman in the race. Don't worry, the beard didn't last
long!

Barry.

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