Having just re read a lot of the blogs that I posted during the race, it does seem that all I did was day dream about food, read books, break things and play spider solitaire. I would like to point out that, while these were achieved, the majority of my time was actually spent sailing, trimming, analysing weather and making rash, risky tactical decisions. Obviously, for entertainment reasons, the extra curricular activities were happily overemphasised!
Having now got back online with a slightly faster connection, I have had the pleasure of watching the race tracker. Boy, I think I went a little too far south! No wonder I had guys ringing me double checking I was okay. Clearly I didn’t realise quite how fast we were heading south. I am still convinced my tactical decision was sound – I was supposed to reach/fetch back towards the NW on the Day 13 gale, but that didn’t happen. Post race analysis is a wonderful thing, and happily I am just so happy to have made it over that I won’t be eating myself up about it. I know I could have got here faster, and I am certainly going to learn from this experience.
So right now I am enjoying the atmosphere still here in Newport. I am currently trying to source a new rudder, which is a real pain in the backside, but the guys back in the Ancasta Haslar Office are proving very helpful – thanks guys.
Pip onboard “The Shed” came in last night too. What a phenomenal journey, having cracked a rib and damaged some rigging in the first couple of days, two events that could have put anyone else out of the race. Pip though, restarted and finished still in a really credible time… imagine if she hadn’t have had to have stopped! She showed me a picture of a pretty immense iceberg she saw too!!
So bluQube’s journey back to the UK has been arranged. I think it will be the fastest crossing ever for a Figaro II – shame its not with me at the helm! Then it is on with Cowes Week and some double handed sailing with Hannah Jenner. There will be some pretty intense work onboard as we fix everything I broke!! Until then, I am working hard at regaining the weight I lost – which wont be difficult with the abundance of Newport Fudge, Ben and Jerrys, Duncan Donuts and American food in general. Shock of the month…. I haven’t eaten any pizza yet!!
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