Tall Ships update - 2nd August
Tall Ships Update - 02 August 2011 12:01
At approximately 2200 last night a decision was made to switch on the engine and motor for 10 miles to the south of Norway and effectively end our race for tall ships 3. This decision was not taken lightly
and involved all members of the Sailing LeadershipTeam and most of the crew (some were asleep and very tired) but was ultimately made by Duncan as the skipper. We started the race on Sunday evening and 36 hours later had only travelled 30 miles, and had over 200 still to cover, due to very light (most of the time, nonexistent) winds. The lack of wind and strongish north going current had meant that we were pushed in towards the land and reached a distance of less than a mile by yesterday evening, and had spent some of that time going backwards.
The weather forecast suggested that it would remain light and unpredictable for at least the next 12 hours. Yes that is often part of racing, but we felt that the crew come on board to sail, not float around the North Sea. The options for ports, fjords and better wind elsewhere far outweighed the disappointment of retiring from the race. The crew as a whole were happy with this decision and the comment was made “I love the trip I just wish were able to sail properly it would make the trip so much better”.
Duncan (Skipper) writes:
There is no bad feeling on board, rather a sense of relief. We will have our own battle withwind, waves, currents and fog as we head 200 miles or so south to Halmstad, so we are not opting out completely. The race and competition is now within, and not with others. We will sail Morning
Star with all the passion and perseverance and skill we have to Halmstad.