Page 27 - Yachter Autumn 2020

downwind leg of race 4, the First 40 had
a serious wrap, Jongleur had a broach, but Malice sailed on effortlessly.” (They did not know that Malice’s mainsheet block exploded shortly before the finish, the sail being ‘trimmed’ across the finish line by three people man-handling it!) We were less keen on the next bit:“Out in front Tokoloshe was going like a rocket and her high rating didn’t seem to be an issue. We are now praying for different weather for the rest of the series....”
Little did they know what was going
to happen next: Storm Ciara, 54 gusting
58 knots in Southampton. Good call not
to go racing. After a weekend off (Storm Dennis), the next scheduled race day had
an unnamed storm (35 gusting 38 knots); another good call. It was March before we got out again. The maintenance done so Malice’s exhaust had a new elbow and the mainsheet a new block. Sotonmet’s wind instrument gave up at 0245 (32 gusting 36 knots). TheYachter editor’s photos captured gusty (gutsy?) racing well: going fast (Tigris, Malice), falling over (Tokoloshe – still won the race and series, well done), grimaces, broad grins when it is over!
For Malice, that was it. The last race on 15 March was a sign of times to come: the skipper was self-isolating.
We are sailors - what better thing to do on a Sunday morning in winter?
Words: Kirsteen Donaldson Photos: Natalie Hamilton
RACING REPORTS 27