Just had a call from our Skipper, Colin Rettie, to say that they are all well in spite of lumpy and wet conditions! They are expecting to arrive in Den Helder in the next few hours. They will officially be notified tomorrow about the final race positions. So keep your eyes open.
Yasmine in the office at 15.15 hrs
Skipper Colin has just reported (at 4.41pm) that they have criossed the finish line just within the time allowed. They are 3rd in class and 8th overall. Well done crew!
They are now motor sailing (against the wind) to the port at Den Helder. Crew are fine, and enjoying their home made bread, and also looking forward to buying some dutch cheese (having consumed all Morning Star’s cheese stocks).
Reports over the weekend indicate various changes of wind and weather involving some challenging sailing conditions. However all the crew are well and looking forward to showers in port. The Tall Ships website indicates that Morning Star is at present a very satisfactory 3rd in class though no longer ahead of Jolie Brise (which has finished).
Chris writes this morning, “Wind light but still moving, good day and night; sun out and dolphins jumping round boat; all very well and bread in oven.”
Morning Star has retained 5th place in class this morning still in front of Jolie Brise on handicap but with the lighter winds anything could happen before the finish, though they look well placed towards the front of the class B fleet.
We have just had a call from Colin, our Skipper, to say that they have rounded the waypoint near Aberdeen and are heading south for Holland. Morning Star had a cracking sail over night maintaining a constant 9 knot speed leaving them in 4th place in class this morning and 14th position overall, sailing in company with Jolie Brise.
All crew are happy and fine and their stomachs are coping well with the lumpy conditions. The wind is set to become lighter from ahead which will lead to a slowing down of their pace.
Yasmine and Steve back at the ranch Thur 14th Aug at 11.45 am
The position reports at 0700 this morning put Morning Star in 5th position in class and 9th overall an excellent showing. At this stage it is very early days with the race course going all the way over to Scotland before rounding a way point and heading back for the finish line off Den Helder but Colin’s race tactics are obviously paying off at present. Weather conditions are excellent for Morning Star for the next couple of days with F4/5 reaching winds, however this is also what the other boats in B class like as well so the race will be well and truely on as they head towards their second night of racing.
Tues 12 Aug at 12.45 pm Bergen
Colin Rettie, our Skipper for Tall Ships Race B, called from Morning Star to inform us that they are on their way in a parade of sail towards the start line. Race start time 6.30 pm uk time. All well with new crew. The rain has now stopped. Wishing you all the best guys! God Bless.
Yasmine in the office
Sunday 10th August
Sounds like the crew are having fun taking part in sports activities today including volleyball and even rowing a Viking boat, not very successfully by the sound of it. Perhaps they have gone round in circles…..!?
Our crew member, Tim, came 1st in a steep hill competition 910 m long with a 313 m long ascent up 720 steps. Phew! He must be fit. The prize included a top quality guitar. So now time for some songs (if anyone can play). Well done, Tim, congratulations!
Full crew change tomorrow except for Chris O’Brien, our volunteer, who has sailed from Liverpool and will complete the journey back home to Chatham. Steve Thompson has been Skipper for the first two legs and deserves a well earned rest. Well done Steve!
Crew moored in Bergen. All well.
We are moored in Fedya, a small island, in a harbour with nine other Tall Ships. The leader is 80ft Brixham trawler with Sequoia, a MS regular, on board, alongside us. Not ideal to manoeuvre in F6 onshore wind in confined harbour. It was great to see Sequoia again, and be able to lend them a helping hand.
A downwind sail towards Bergen would be good after motoring through the night, as there is no wind. The inshore route through fjords and islands are both interesting and beautiful. We are now all experts in following the local sectored navigation lights. We are looking forward to finish anchored in secluded cove, surrounded by rocks for some swimming followed by home made pizza for lunch before entering the port. We have also enjoyed Swedish pancakes for breakfast made by Erica (from Stockholm) with a bit of help from Chris. Swedish boat tried to tempt our two Swedish crew away but they are staying loyal to Morning Star and her cake supply. Great!
Yasmine