Dear Sir
Thank you for letting us sail your boat in the above race. The race results do not give a true reflection of our sail. Bearing in mind that we sailed short-hand,never-the-less we had a fantastic sail. A great beat to the rounding mark (Bell buoy), and vow the spinnaker release and setting was perfect for the run home – you would have been awe struck.
Whilst you have strong sheets and halyards, they are somewhat thin, you could have made sure there was sailing gloves on-board as the smell of burning skin permeated the cockpit regularly.
Given our handicap we were “eating” into the fleet and closing fast on the 3 in front of us, we were confident we could take this race. Tikalox 2 and Spirite of Sprite made tactical errors by sailing too deep, which meant we had the opportunity to cut in front of them. Our plan, given our tight line, was to gibe when we reached the break water and sail on a broad reach to the finish line with the bag up. Unfortunately in executing the manoeuvre the spinnaker had a mind of itself and thought it was on a roller-furler system and wrapped around the forestay. This resulted in us having to head into the wind and talk the spinnaker to free herself, costing us valuable race time and position – you may need to speak to this sail.
Our troubles weren’t over yet, and hence this letter to you.
After crossing the finish line, and in attempt to keep-out of the race officer’s way, under foresail, we sailed inside of the marina breakwater back to moorings. Big mistake. A mooring line (part of a vacant “Trot”) happened to be in our path. Imagine our humiliation when we hooked it. This resulted in me having to get my “Gucci” sailing boots full of water as well as getting wet to my arm-pits.
Anyway we averted having Jellybaby taking up new moorings, as you would have had to ask John Lockhead to row you out to visit your boat!
All in all we had a good day on the water
Many Thanks
Wanna-be Volvo Ocean racer