Day 3
After breakfast at 8:30 we set off out from Cowes, grateful for the clear skies and lack of rain!
Today, we got to put what we had learned over the last 3 days to the test. We made our way up the Solent against the tide, and the number three Yankee and main sail up. We had all hands on deck, having tack at close intervals, making us put our strength and fitness to the test! We made a top speed of 11 knots today and the calmer waters were appreciated, with no cases of sea sickness today!
Later on in the day we met up with Challenger 3 and a race for fun, luckily, there was only one close shave! We finally arrived at Gunwharf Quay where we had dinner at around 6:30 and had a chance to reflect on the day we had.
A great sailing experience and fun was had by all!
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Day 2
This morning it was up at 6.30 to catch the tide, and we were greeted with bacon butties – these were well received all round. Then it was off out, around an hour before the others who were all clearly half asleep!
I’m not sure we knew what to expect but whatever it was, it wasn’t what we had today! We started off with two reefs in the main, a staysail and the number three yankee – and proceeded to spend the next 7 hours beating to 25-30 knots of wind and metre and a half swells getting to St.Katherins – which was a full on sailing experience, surprisingly only one case of sea sickness!
We arrived at Cowes after a full on good sail and although soaked and a bit cold – it was a memorable experience and a good day was had by all.
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Day 1
When we arrived we were met by the crew, who introduced us to the boat and where we’d be spending the next four nights of our lives! After that there was a briefing which included safety and generally got us up to speed on board. We then got the sails ready, a new experience for us all, even the ones who knew what they were doing – (no furling systems or electric winches on this boat!). Then it was the first dinner and bed – the first night in our rather small bunks!
















