The only benefit of the Trapani ESS event having been cancelled, was that all the sailors were raring to go in Nice after such a long break, making the racing even more intense than usual much to the dislike im sure of some of the team boat builders who had some long nights repairing scrapes and the occasional hole in a boat!
The trip actually started disastrously for myself, Rick and Ollie as we neared Nice we started to experience turbulence, seconds before the captain aborted landing, a huge bolt of lightning was seen just off the starboard bow! After circling for twenty minutes or so we diverted up the coast to Marseille to refuel and wait for the storm to move along the coast. Unfortunately it was a big stubborn storm system that had decided to sit firmly ontop of Nice so the captain soon announced we were to be bussed the 100 odd miles to Nice… 4 hours laster and we were still sat on the plane on the tarmac, waiting for a bus to turn up in france on a Sunday evening.. not gonna happen! We did have some entertainment when two passengers who really wanted a cigarette bolted off the plane! Security was seen chasing the pair! We eventually were allowed off and Gac travel hooked us up with a hire car to get us into Nice in the early hours.
A smooth boatbuild the next day went well, and we craned the good ship into the Mediterranean on Tuesday morning and had a light sail in the afternoon. Ian Williams was back from his defence of his match race world title, and on the back of a win in france and 3rd place in Bermuda so confidence was high, and we mainly looked at integrating the communication and teamwork of everybody together for the first time. Wednesday was a big day as based on the previous year where each afternoon had been exceptionally light, and racing had therefore been held in the morning “drainage” wind off the mountains, we chose to train early doors with some of the other teams before a leisurely lunch followed by a second session in the afternoon.
The rumours of big Thursday started circulating early on the Wednesday, and when we awoke on Thursday it looked like champagne 18knt conditions…. However as racing drew nearer the wind continued to build. Pulling up sails felt like being on a fair ground ride getting thrown up down and all over the place! The sailing was awesome, with huge waves and 25-30knts. The race officer postponed, before reluctantly cancelling racing as the wind was now averaging just under 30knts. A shame not to race, but the correct decision.
Friday started brilliantly for the team, winning the start and the first race! Race two and we were looking good to capitalize with another top 3, only for disaster to strike. The mast over rotated ahead of a tack, causing the jib to rip on the masts spreader, we limped over the finish line last and immediately changed to the spare jib in time for the next race. We sailed a solid day in the end, placing 5th over all and ripped jib aside we avoided any major damage, unlike much of the fleet. With reaching starts big waves and 20knts of wind, it had only been a matter of time before a big crash happened and it happened in the final race. Alinghi couldn’t avoid hitting the Wave Muscat, wholing them and also causing them to crash into Red Bull and Gitana! The shore crews did brilliantly to have all boats in top condition for the next days racing!
Saturday, was again solid, the race officer switched to conventional upwind starts. We alternated our starting strategy, and showed good speed and boathandling to over take boats down most legs of the course. We finished the day in 4th place overall.
Sunday dawned, with again big brease, for the 4th day in a row the fleet reefed for racing! We maintained our form, in incredibly short race courses but were unable to better our overnight 4th position, a very respectable result.
Alongside the racing it was great to carry on the great “Kids sailing” project spear headed by D, this event our guests were from a charity who helped young cancer sufferers. Again the youngsters had a great time sailing for the first time, in a pretty awesome racing machine!
Next stop will be the final leg of the 2012 tour, this time in Rio!
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