Page 76 - Masthead - Salcombe Yacht Club 2019 Yearbook

74 SYC Stories
STUART READ’S LIFE ON THE EDGE
Stuart Read sailed with SYC Cadets in the 1970’s on Smalls Beach in the Shirly Tyler Era. He has spent years in and around boats but not necessarily sailing ones, so the Clipper Challenge was a challenge indeed. Stuart, with Sabre Financial Services, continues to generously support our Cruiser Racing fleet in The Range. I am sure he will inspire others to sail further offshore.
Stuart joined the 70’ Clipper Yacht “Dare
to Lead” in Seattle. A South African Sponsored boat for a charity supporting underprivileged children. In this first Race they did ‘dare’ and they won the Pacific Leg. There was a Professional Skipper and First Mate, on each boat and then 18 crew working in relentless 4-hour watches. It wasn’t all plain sailing.
Stuart sailed from Seattle to New
York via the Panama Canal. From NY to Londonderry. Around the West of Ireland for a finish in the Irish Sea off Morecombe Bay. There was a spectacular final 20-mile sprint
up the Mersey to finish in Liverpool Docks. A Force 7 was blowing, and each Skipper pushed their boats and crew at maximum heel (some 60 degrees) to the delight of the welcoming crowds lining each shore up into the Liverpool Docks. Clipper estimated that over 80,000 people turned out to be part of this incredible welcome.
Sitting back at his desk in Kingsbridge, Stuart can reflect on the immense challenge they endured. Thousands of miles from home and completely out of their comfort zones this trip was both mentally and physically challenging, but
it was humour that kept people going. Even at the depths of despair early in the morning, zipping up foul weather gear before surfacing to the action on deck, it was good banter that saw them through.
One Watch Stuart was on deck
when the wind got up and the boat
had become quickly overpowered. The skipper appeared on deck, at first in just his underpants. They needed to drop the Yankee and fast, however, conditions were such that it took over three hours
of dramatic physical endurance. Stuart helped crawl with two others on hands and knees to the foredeck. Progress was slow as they were frequently washed into the guardrail and underwater desperately sought a hand hold before moving forward in the debilitating conditions. The flapping
sail itself was difficult to drop and get
under control. Even in calm conditions, it is difficult for four people to lift. That difficult time was in the warm, but grey Caribbean Sea. More hardships were endured crossing The Atlantic with the temperature barely above freezing in dense fog and rough seas. Every possible layer of clothing was needed as the hardest part of the race was keeping warm with water constantly washing the deck steeply heeled and the wind whistling. It was at times impossible to have a verbal conversation.
Most memorable were the incredible conditions in the Pacific. At one time a 35ft whale swam with and around the boat for half an hour. Pods of dolphins, tuna, rays and turtles bought the Blue Planet to life. And the star shows at night, with no light pollution, were truly awesome.
Stuart’s father Mike Read regularly
helps in the Watch House in Merlin Week and Regattas too. He proudly kept us
up to date with progress as modern technology helps us track so precisely. Yet hearing of the experience first-hand the human journey comes to life too. Foolish challenges are not over for the Read family as his wife and daughter are rowing across the Atlantic in December. Their website can be viewed at www.Astro-to-Atlantic.co.uk
Stuart Read interviewed by Jayne Morris