Had already planned ‘get out of jail’ options. We were (~0315) 15 miles south of Bigbury Bay. Plymouth 21 miles 315 degrees. Bear away on to broadish reach with storm jib and two-reef main. Arrive at Plymouth Breakwater (Knap Buoy) after 1h 45 minutes. Passed breakwater at 11.6 knots. Dowsed sails and into Queen Anne Battery Marina at 0515h. At least 20 IRC Z and IRC1 already there – by mid-morning must have been almost one hundred. Saw fellow EOARA Team Member – Habanero – a few berths away when woke up, and Brave had arrived about 0715h. Cosmic Dancer III headed for Falmouth, as did Skipjack of Cowes.
Very mixed emotions – a) pleased crew were safe and well, b) boat was relatively intact, – but after so much time, emotion and anticipation all felt very deflated. However discussion with others here at QAB, those with professional crew, those with bigger boats, those with more experience – confirmed (as we all knew) that it was the right decision. Reviewing current weather patterns it looks as though it will be horrendous in the Irish Sea and we hope that those in the smaller boats who continue to race remain safe with their boats intact. We will be back for 2009!!
