BVI Spring Regatta 2014 on “High Tension”
Wow… Have not had a beating like that in a while… Winds to 25 knots and rain squalls that kept us wet from dock out until long after the first meal ashore at 5.
The Sir Francis Drake channel was churned with bouncy chop and strong breeze for 3 races in racing class 3.
Kai and I are aboard High Tension again for the weekend.. a modified Mumm 36 from Antigua with owner Bernie Evan-Wong.
We have a group of cheery and determined sailors aboard with a few returning to race in new positions and tough conditions for a first day. We did well to only wipe out once and lay on our side for 15 seconds with everything flogging.
Buoy banging for 2 races and one race around Cooper Island and back left us with a 5, 3, 3 and tied in 3rd place for racing class 2.
Kai did foredeck today and fared really well under the tutelage of Reds from Antigua – our quiet- “can do anything” crew. I am in the cockpit as the “navi-guesser” and trying to keep the strings all running and the skipper going the right way.
Hoping for less rain and less wind today (Saturday) which would help us move up in the fleet. Our boat likes the 12 to 18 knot range and treats us well when we find it. This sailing on your ear is exciting but slow..
We are lodged in a little cottage overlooking the SW side of Tortola and out towards St. John… Lovely little pool that we would need hot sun for.. and a drive way to make Fireburn hill in St. Thomas look like a modern highway.
It takes 15 mins of careful walking down to the main road and then hitching to Nanny Cay for the day… Coming back we have to find a gypsy cab and trick him into going up the road… The turnaround is where we jump out and gladly pay… That walk up after a day sailing would be 45 mins of cussing!
2 more days of racing scheduled with the awards Sunday afternoon…
More tomorrow…
John Holmberg has written for ALL AT SEA since 2014.
Worth your time?
Thanks — noted.
