Um yes, once again, it wasn't Arabella that pulled off this remarkable result, but an Ondeck Farr 65, Spirit of Isis, that I had chartered for corporate hospitality purposes. Still, I was chuffed to come first. That doesn't happen very often.
Record-breaking
Vendee Globe and Team Pindar skipper
Brian Thompson had, somewhat foolishly, agreed to return to act as our fearless leader.
Especially foolishly, when you think about it, because his crew for this event was a motley bunch of experienced sailors, people who think boats are for drinking on, and complete beginners.
At least on the Round The Island Race, Brian's crew had had sufficient experience to give him a fighting chance at a decent result. On this occasion, he would be competing with one hand tied behind his back.
The other Ondeck skippers scented a chance for glory - they could claim Brian's scalp in this race, and tart up their own CVs. But they hadn't reckoned on the psychology of our crew. Even the oldest and paunchiest of them is successful for a reason. Once they became aware of the stakes, their innate competitiveness came to the fore.
If, sometimes, we didn't look entirely comfortable romping around the boat - and Brian's ultra-competitive helming didn't make any of the sail changes and spinnaker hoists as easy as they might have been - that in no way detracted from the 19 minute lead that
Spirit of Isis had opened up over its nearest challenger by the time we crossed the finish line.
Despite being bruised and very, very tired at the end of the day, every guest lavished superlatives on their experience. Words like 'inspirational' and 'motivational' were sprinkled liberally across every thank-you. Sometimes, it seems, it doesn't hurt to push people beyond their comfort zone.
P.S. Yes, I know. There's been hardly anything about Arabella all year, and yes, I do appreciate that Pandora enthusiasts are probably getting bored of this non-Pandora stuff by now. Rest assured, Arabella is being lovingly cared for, and marginally improved in one or two minor respects. For a variety of business-related reasons that can't be commented upon now, but will emerge in dribs and drabs in later posts, in that irritating way of mine, there hasn't been much chance for me to sail other than for corporate purposes. Hopefully, but maybe not, there will be more Arabella posts this autumn, especially if that "Indian Summer" they're promising arrives...
