MALCOLM’S BLOG LEG 3 & LERWICK 18TH JUNE

Co Skipper Malcolm Dickinson – Leg 3 Blog

We had a fast run down to Barra Head under spinnaker and then headed into the wind and north to St Kilda. We were able to overtake a couple of other boats on our way out to the Island. However, the first problem for us was a ridge of high pressure which sat in the way of our route to a south west air flow which would allow us to head more directly to Shetland. We managed to get through the light winds, but at times the going was painfully slow and it seemed we would never reach St Kilda.

We rounded St Kilda at about midnight and started flying the spinnaker – making best boat speed on the direct route to Shetland. The combination of a building wind and a large, confused sea meant that we had to stay alert all night. At one stage we were in danger of losing the spinnaker due to a frayed halyard and we have had to change down a gear to a Code sail. Unfortunately, as soon as we had done this, the line joining the Code sail to the bow snapped and we had to make some emergency repairs.

From St Kilda to Muckle Flugga the conditions showed off the power and capabilities of Fujifilm in a favourable sea and a following 20-25 knot wind. All night we surfed large waves, touching speeds of 20 knots at times, with Fujifilm sitting high like a giant surfboard on top of the wave, with spray everywhere and a massive wake trailing away behind us. For those of you who are sailors, you would realise this is just about as good as it gets! It was really quite a privilege to be there.

Conditions eased as we rounded Muckle Flugga, and we saw another of our competitors on the horizon behind us. We suspected it was Sungard. Both boats soon converged and we were about a couple of miles ahead as we headed south past the Skerries. By this time we had worked out that we were in the lead and victory for the leg was in sight. In fact, it was within touching distance!

As the results, however, now show, we came 2nd. It was really harsh luck. The winds dropped completely just as we were coming up to the finish line and Sungard managed to edge past us close inshore, taking the only breeze. On the positive side – we made up around 3 hours on the leaders and it is still anyone’s race.

The hospitality here in Lerwick has, as usual, been fantastic – with everyone going out of their way to make us feel welcome. Even down to the offer of taking away our dirty clothes to be washed – that’s dedication! We avoided any late night parties last night and banked some more sleep, knowing that we were going to need it.

We arrived at the boat early this morning (Friday) to find that Fujifilm had been damaged by the weight of the three boats outside us smashing against our side in the strong northerly winds. We believe the damage is superficial and not structural, but it does not look too pretty.

The forecast is for massive waves down through the North Sea and northerly winds gale force 7 to 9. At least we will get to Lowestoft in double quick time!

Spare a quick thought for us tonight when you are watching the football and think about what we are experiencing. Then get on to our website and make a donation to Hospiscare!