Leaving the berth at 0315 seemed like a good plan in the build up, but when it came to it the 0230 alarm seemed less than a great idea - it was still pitch black as we motored down the channel from Port Solent. Half the crew was still raising themselves from sleeping bags and cabins. Breakfast was as big as we can make it for 0400.
An uneventful trip out to the start by Incognito standards but not quite early enough for any real preparations before the start. We decided on the mainland side of the line, motored through the waiting pack of boats who were hanging back before breaking into the comparatively quiet area of boats lining up for the start. We found Playing Around and Tarka and the three of us got a good start in clear air at 0530.
Progress down the Island side in 12-15 knots, with the heavy #1 in the expectation of an increasing breeze, was fast. We stayed in deep water for the best tide and tried to spot good gaps to get back on port to the deeper water when needed. Half way down the beat to the needles we crossed close by Anticipation. Approaching Hurst, Playing Around was just behind us but in better tide and Anticipation below us. As we went across Warden, Playing Around crept ahead and at the Needles she was in the lead and rounded inside the wreck, we decided on prudence and went outside.
The kite went up for the only hoist of the day and we gybed in toward the shore soon after. Anticipation, Tarka and Puma Logic were close behind. We pushed in towards the shore past Freshwater but went in further than planned meaning we had to squeeze out more to avoid Brook Ledges. It started to feel like it should be time to eat something again, maybe even lunch, but it was still only 0730 so a second breakfast and hot croissants all round instead! We stayed on the straight line for Atherfield Ledge but Anticipation and Playing Around went in closer for the shore. Eventually we all pressed close in on the beach for the approach to St Cats hoping to find the back eddy. In the meantime Playing Around crept ahead again and we were having to work hard to hang onto her.
Rounding St Cats, Anticipation was just behind, Puma Logic just ahead and Playing Around further ahead still – but with only boat lengths between us. We decided to push in as close to the shore as we could to stay out of the tide and gradually the four boats closed up again. We headed in and out of the small bays, very little tide on the lobster pots we passed, maybe even a little with us at times.
At Dunnose the breeze was gusty and shifty and we had to concentrate to keep the kite flying. Anticipation got by us as she made a better job of catching a gust and hanging onto it. Playing Around also moved ahead and we were left struggling to stay in touch again. Approaching the Bembridge buoy we had a good spell and closed the gap. We made a clean drop, but then ended up in Anticipation’s dirty air so decided to tack in towards the Island, whilst also looking for a tidal advantage. As we headed up towards the sands at Seaview, we knew we should have been closer to the post inside the Fort but Anticipation was plugging on so we followed her. Vanessa was down with the charts to guide us through. Based on the chart there was no way over a shallow bank, but with the others pressing on there was no other option than to push on, following Anticipation. As predicted the depth dropped away, we ended up in 0.2m – 3 crew went to leeward to help reduce the draft, the shouts from the chart table gradually got louder as to the impossibility of maintaining our current track - we kept going! Suddenly the depth increased, the shouting stopped and we were through and aiming at Ryde post.
In the meantime Playing Around had crept further ahead and we were going to have to tack well and keep as close to the Ryde Bank as possible to make any impression on them. We played the shifts and tide as best we could; the tacks and acceleration were good and we made good ground back on the others. By the time we reached Ryde Pier we were neck and neck with Playing Around, we crossed her, she crossed us back - both boats were working hard to find some advantage. As we headed up towards Norris the wind was coming and going and shifting as usual. After a good spell we had a small lead as we broke out into the foul tide and extra breeze towards the finish.
As we finished we had just enough margin on the boats behind to keep us in first place on handicap.
Finally it must be time for some lunch!
Elapsed time was 7hrs 34mins, and the final result was 1st in Class and 1st 40.7 – the Britannia Trophy stays with us for another year at least…...
Crewed by: Tim, Steve, Helen, Sam, Megan, Nick, Vanessa, Paul, Dave Ra, Phil H & Simon