Messing about in boats

Last weekend Cowes on the Isle of Wight saw the start of the celebrated yacht race Round the Island. Competitors in yachts of various sizes attempted to complete a circuit of the waters around the island.

In the days before the race, boats and crews made feverish preparations. Boats had to be in tip top condition and crews had to check their kit and their personal fitness.

Race organisers of course had their plans.

Meanwhile crews made decisions about where things should be put.

Then there were discussions about settings.

Things like ensuring vital sails were stored properly

Of course It is important that crews should get on with each other.

And that when they went out for practice that everyone managed to get on-board.

Skippers adjusted settings, agonised over tactics and had to be completely sure which way they were going to go once they left harbour.

The race?  Yes of course I stayed for that. It could be next week’s blog – but in case you want a taste now, it looked a bit like this.

There was some wind, quite a lot of murk and even rain, so photographs look a little greyer than usual, but you’ll get the idea.

Have a quiet and peaceful weekend.

This could be the trimaran that went round fastest.