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Round Britain and Ireland race in June 2010 in aid of the RNLI and Toe in the Water. 

I view it as one of the most difficult races of its kind as only 2 crew are allowed on each boat and the course requires the crews to negotiate some very challenging coastal waters as well as incorporating open ocean legs well offshore.  Tidal streams, collision avoidance in busy shipping lanes, coping with heavy weather and lack of sleep all add to the difficulty of the race.  We are only allowed 4 stops throughout the challenge and will be leaving from Plymouth, going clockwise around the UK and Ireland on Sunday 6 June 2010 at 1200UTC.

My co-skipper will be Dave Flett.  I met Dave through sailing on the racing circuit from our home port of Scarborough.  Dave and I both have a military background, he served a full career with the Royal Air Force and I was in the Royal Navy for 11 years.  Although we have only known each other for a relatively short time, we share the same sense of humour and I know Dave is also a person who relishes a challenge.  He is a native Orcadian so is looking forward to sailing in his home waters, albeit at quite a long distance!  We are both the type of people that thrives on challenges and like to test our maritime skill and physical ability over the 2,200 (ish!) miles of this race! 

My boat, Resolute is a Contessa 32 is one of the smallest boats in the race at 32 ft.  Although she is a bit smaller she can handle severe weather very well and the Contessa 32 is widely regarded as one of the most capable seaboats around.  She was originally built in 1978 but received an extensive refit in 1993 and is now in a boatyard in Whitby having a new engine, electronic equipment, safety equipment and rigging fitted ready for the race.  She isn't the fastest boat in the fleet but she's where I'd want to be in a gale of wind!

As Divisional Inspector for Scotland for the RNLI I wanted to try and raise funds for the Institution. Because of our background, Dave and I also have an affinity towards 'toe in the water', a charity set up to help rehabilitate injured servicemen through sailing.  You can visit my 'toe in the water' page at http://www.justgiving.com/Waveney-Crookes2

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Many thanks

Wave and Dave