The Post-Event Story

 

So there we were - start of the Three Peaks Yacht Race - sailing grimly into the teeth of a force 7-8 gale topping out at 50 knots during the first night's sailing - what on earth are we doing?

 

Well - for those of you who had doubts ............... we completed the 3 Peaks Yacht Race and so your kind donations will not be returned but rather given to a great charitable cause!

 

The race did not disappoint and was indeed a major challenge for our less than youthful team somewhat hindered by the good life!

 

We turned up in Barmouth in West Wales not quite sure what to expect. We met some hardy honed endurance athletes, experienced sailors and some fast looking boats. Oh well - no turning back now!

 

The forecast was for the 40 knot wind, which had caused some damage on the night before the race, to die to around force 5-6 for the race start - not so - it continued for the whole of the first night's sailing!  See video for a taster!

 

We made it through that and to Carnarvon - slow but at least we did not park on the sand like some or our competitors!

 

Off ran Michael and Andrew up Snowdon - impressive seemingly uneventful trip.

 

Then off through the Swellies (a treacherous narrow stretch of water with lots of shallow rocks and strong currents between Wales and Anglesey) We made it through with the benefit of James' local knowledge (although I have never seen him concentrate so hard or be so serious!) and a great leg to Whitehaven, 9th fastest despite being in one of the slower boats, (did I mention that a night-time watch came within 6 feet of colliding with the Race Secretary!)

 

Then to Whitehaven and off for the 32 miles cycling and 20 miles running to and up Scafell Pike - worse than it sounds. Cycling was going well (apart from Michael trying to race a local cyclist who was keen to show us what he was made of). 12 miles in and a puncture! Not any old puncture but a puncture in the forest near a lake, populated by vicious midgies! Two further punctures and a lot of itching later and we were off running. Much much later we were back to another puncture and eventually finished in the dark. Many many thanks to Johnny and Braemar cycles in Whitehaven for their support and spare inner tubes!

 

Then a long and beautiful sailing leg around the west coast of Scotland and up the sound of Jura in perfect sailing conditions accompanied by dolphins and seals. Then appears the Managing Director of Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay in a boat with a delivery of malt whisky - not sure about the rules on that but thanks anyway Mark - made us very popular at the end of the race!

 

The wind predictably died on the approach to Fort William. James, Andrew and Richard battled through the night with various forms of unconventional sail plans but resisted getting out the oars on the grounds they are not within the ethos of Rogan Josh yacht racing (and also it sounds like hard work). Eventually we arrived at 03:40 and Michael and Jake were hauled out of bunks to run up Ben Nevis. Not nice to start with but much improved when dawn arrived! We had to cross a snowfield at the top where it was snowing - properly - honest - see the photo for proof.

 

Back to the finish, showers and swapping stories with fellow competitors. Then dragging weary bodies off to find the finest hostelries in Fort William - something the team does extremely well!

 

What a fantastic experience! 21st out of 32 starters. Doesn't sound that impressive but given our lifestyle handicaps and the fact we were in a relatively slow cruising boat we are very pleased to have finished and of our position.

 

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST, SUPPORT AND MOST OF ALL YOUR GENEROUS SPONSORHIP TO THE JDRF WHO FUND RESEARCH INTO FINDING A CURE FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES.

 

Best wishes

 

Jake, James, Michael, Richard and Andrew