Sailing in Cowes Week - 02

Life on the Ocean Wave – continued

I assumed the race was a regular club event but it happened to be the Royal Household Regatta hosted by the famous Royal Yacht Squadron.

The Squadron Start Line

The four of us climbed in the boat and set off to the start line. The wind was great for my first race in 35 years! Once we got past the danger zone (other racing yachts, ferries, motor boats etc), Antonia asked me to helm. Great fun, especially since it my my first time helming in a sailing race!

I’m not sure what happened but we seemed to keep on hitting holes and the tide going against us. The gib was not being set fast enough after each tack, which helped to slow us down. What seemed like ages, we slogged up to the buoy at the mouth of the Beaulea river. Then we crossed the Solent but the tide was getting stronger and a couple of people on board wanted to retire. But I talked them out of it, because this was a practice run for the big one, Cowes Week 2025.

Eventually we crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron line to finish last out of the entire fleet of boats. They even postponed the prize giving because of us. Someone has to come last and we have not trained or even sailed together before! Getting over the finish line without retiring was an achievement.

Back on dry land, Matt asked me if I was free in two weeks time to sail in the famous Cowes Week.

Joy as we finally finished on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron finish line - even though we were last!

To be continued …