On the way home...

After starting yesterdays race and being right in the mix with 10miles left the moment came to tack onto startboard and put the jury rig under load. The wind was up to 16kts so i double reefed the main and changed down to the #4 headsail. However immediately when the rig loaded up it looked wrong - something like a wobbly banana - so down came all the3 sails and i motored to the finish.

We had a nice evening in treguier and I have decided to get Psipsina home to fix the rig. Dissappointing, but it's all part of the game. It was good to be along with the group for most of the week even though I only put up one result (1st in race one).

I'm now passing Guernsey under engine and flying the storm jib only...I'm going to continue overnight all the way to gosport which i should reach tomorrow lunchtime.

I should have known there'd be problems from early on this week - When I stepped off the gosport ferry I caught my headphones and lost the little rubber earpiece - innocuous you might think - but crucial for listening to music. Since then it's not gone well!! Still the rig is in one piece and 2 new D2's will be put on before the fastnet as well as a full rig check. The engine is behaving very well and a new tank lid will be ordered to fix the air problem.

Life onboarrd is quite nice today - I've had dolphins, music (predominantly in one ear), sunshine and a good book to read. Back in gosport we'll have a full washdown and cleanout. Psipsina will compete again in the fastnet in August...

Paddy