Local J24 sailors were much in evidence in this year’s Newport-Bermuda ocean race. Class Captain John Nicholls teamed up with Shelagh Tasker, Luis Chiaparro, and Richard Hosker to move the Swan 42 “Morgans Ghost” from Newport Harbour to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Bermuda Oyster found perfect conditions for her – big breeze on the nose, to ensure that this champagne bulk carrier not only arrived before the booze ran out, but won her class and division as well. The Oyster had Neil Redburn and Craig Scott on board – with Craig “white stick” Scott getting the navigators prize. Peter Carfoot on Nasty Medicine and Rikki Hornet on Whimsical of Wight rounded out the Bermuda J24 crews participation.
J24 sailors are actively sought out for these oceans races – the training in physical discomfort, a diet of beer and chips, and plenty of verbal abuse, coupled with thinking 6 knots is fast, leads to finely honed crew.
Well done all!

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It was blowing a hooley. Actually a category 3 hooley. Down at the dock everyone rigged up and a few hardy souls went outside for a look. The noise of the wind in the rigs of 76 Js was screamingly loud. The RC boat went just outside the harbour, registered 30 knots in the lee, hoisted the “L” flag (follow me) and brought the Js back to shore. We then sat in a delightful cofee shop for the next 2 hours and finally N over A - all over!
Boats quickly derigged, masts out, cranes started up - the usual mad dash to get the boats ready for the road.
We tidied up the charter boat - he wasn’t going to haul it, and started the unpleasant task of folding new sails (every crease a groan).
Prize-giving tonight, and then the start of the journey home.
A fantastic regatta (they all are really) - and apart from dropping 16 points in an incident that should have been avoided, and the struggle in the big breeze with the genoa, we were very pleased with our results (especially the 7th!). Nice to have a 53 in the last race - end on a good note.
So Bermuda boats were 66 and 71 - watch out on that Saturday start line next week!

Pete - Team Sadiiqi, BER3158

The forecast was for 10 knots - the RC wanted to run three races so an early start. Wind started at 12 knots and built from there. We went with genoa for race 1 with the rig set for 10 knots - mistake! The breeze was a solid 15-18 and we really struggled in the gusts - couldn’t keep the boat flat and slowly but surely dropped behind the main pack.
Race 2 and wound the rig on a bit tighter, but stuck with the genoa. Went right which was ok, but again we were going sideways in the chop and the blasts off the hills. Changed to jib on the next downwind and that helped. Had a horror show with the spin on the last downwind and droped to the  back of the pack - madde up a boat or 2 before the finish. At least one boat was on its side that race!
Last race - genoa of the line, and again struggled a bit up the right side. Again changed to jib as Becky spotted a large black cloud coming off the shore. Next 2 legs made gains on boats around us, and then a final upwind to the finish.
Very tired crew haeded to a bar for sustenance - what a tiring day!
Two more races in the forecaxst 20+ knots tomorrow.

Pete - Team Sadiiqi, BER3158

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No breeze - nary a ripple, not a whisp, not even a zephyr. Ann thought it was filling in, but that was the Limoncello talking. The Race Committee sided with Ann and thought “something was happening” out there, so 76 J’s left the dock and hurried out under engine to a glassy ocean. After 30 minutes a wind line came from the SW and within short order a line was set, and we were getting ready for the off. General Recall - line wasn’t straight, so another start. We had a good one and headed right as per the game plan, and were in clear air for the next 15 minutes to the mark. Boats on thge left were slightly more favoufred, but had been sailing in bad air for the leg - we rounded mid-fleet and off down the run. Next upwind got jammed in at the left gate, rounded ok, and headed across the fleet to the right again - hmm, this time the right lifted and lifted and lifted…. We sailed a great circle route and joined the last downwind toward the back - clawed a couple of boats back, including Mike Lewis (who seemed a little slow on the run). The last downwind was so tight we almost dropped the kite and put the genoa up! Then it was a looooooong wait for the breeze to fill in - Farr 40’s, warming up for their worlds, seemed ok further out to sea for a while, but then it just turned off.

 Racing was canned and back to town we went. Your truly then in the protest room regarding our yellow flag incident yesterday - all’s fine, we’re dropping that race now there are five in the bag. Boat speed ok today - couldn’t point very well in the light sports, but when the breeze increased we were going ok. Three races scheduled for Thursday to catch up.

 Pete - Team Sadiiqi (BER3158)

Once again Bermuda teams hosted a Dark & Stormy party at the worlds for the competitors. And once again the party was a huge success - sailors remembering the parties of years gone by - Mexico, Weymouth & Melbourne being the most recent. The Bermuda J24 tattoos were a great hit - most of the fleet are now sporting a tattoo, some in very strange places.
Thanks to www.blackseal.co.uk for helping with the rum, Caroline for the ginger beer raids on Waitrose, and Goslings for the shirts and flags.
A fine night, and hopefully some sore heads tomorrow!

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Tough day today - winds slightly up on yesterday for the first race. Glorious sunshine, but crew still kitted out in foulies (bit chilly on the cold water). Race 1 and we had a flying start - pity it was a general recall. They sent a fast RIB with a siren and recall flag across the fleet to let them know - never seen that before.

Next start was under 20% penalty flag - we were 1/2 way down the line and were doing ok until a boat reached down on top of us - 2nd row start and started ducking, tacking, etc. to get clean air. Fought our way through boats and finished 60th, though we fouled an Italian boat so took a yellow flag so the final result will be awful.
Next race a better start at the boat end, tacked away and got in clean air going right. With the wind up the crew were hiking hard, but being a tad light (45kg), we struggled on the upwinds. Held on for the 2 1/2 legs and came in 64th - not too bad considering all the traffic we contended with.

Tonight - D&S party. Usual tactic - try and get everyone ahead of us pissed (will need a lot of rum!!!).

Pete (& team Sadiiqi)