Sailing and spectating

This month, I have transitioned from sailing offshore double handed to the other extremes of our sport.

?I had the pleasure of joining a Swan 80 called Kallima for the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. It was so great to be part of a team again and a delight to experience the beautiful waters of Sardinia. We had one windy day which prevented racing but, otherwise, negotiated the courses without issue, which was fortunate for me having been asked to navigate!

?From maxi yacht racing I then travelled to Cadiz for a front row seat at the halfway stage of Season 3 in Sail GP. Working as their global host, I introduce guests to the boats and teams, and then take them out on the water to experience the racing up close while I explain the event in more detail. Just two weeks earlier, event 5 in the calendar had been in St Tropez where strong winds had seen record speeds reached with the French claiming the top speed of 99.96km/h and Team USA were crowned champions.

?Cadiz did not disappoint but, in contrast, had very consistent breeze with a super choppy sea state producing waves that made riding high on the foils very difficult. Australia, USA and the French maintained consistency throughout the five fleet races to secure themselves a place in the final. Team France delighted the fans by getting their first ever event win. Over the past six events, there have been four different winners and some very exciting racing. It really is anyone’s game with everything to play for in November when the F50’s race again in Dubai.

?As this year moves into its final months, I feel the racing programme getting busier. Not for me as a sailor but definitely for me as a fan. We are just a few weeks away from the Route de Rhum, where 138 skippers will race solo across the Atlantic from St Malo to Guadeloupe. With racing in Class 40’s, IMOCA’s, Ultimes and Ocean 50’s as well as some Rhum classes, it makes for an incredible fleet. This month we saw the IMOCA’s line up for the first time in the Defi Azimut, providing an insight into the runners and riders for the Route de Rhum. Charlie Dalin on Apivia dominated but, with many of the recently launched new boats so close to him, I have a feeling those skippers will find their form and provide some stiff competition. Someone new to the IMOCA world is my former co skipper in the Sunfast 3300, James Harayda. He will be racing in his IMOCA Gentoo, which was built in 2007 by Finot Conq as Hugo Boss for Alex Thomson. The Defi Azimut was his first solo race and he held his own, learnt many lessons and I was thrilled to see him not only race his boat, but really enjoy it too.

?As for the good ship RockIt, well, she has been sold and I am sure her new owner will have as much pleasure as Shirley and I did when they start racing next season.