Continuation Sail, 14-19 February 2002
Thursday, 14 February 2002
Upon arriving at Ocean Village, Southampton, I made my way over
to the 72' yacht, Challenge Business 46 (aka Norwich Union), and
met with Ian Buchelle and Jasper Heikens, our Skipper and Mate
for the trip ahead. A couple of the other crew members had already
arrived and were getting stuck into preparing the evening meal,
so I picked out a port side bunk bed, then put my chopping skills
to use in the galley.
The remainder of the crew arrived throughout the evening and
we got to know each other over a hearty dinner, before heading
off to our bunks for the night. Altogether my fellow crew included
Alina, Alistair, Birgit, Dan, James, Kate, Nick, Rene, Sarah,
and Simon, giving a fair mix of trainees for the Global Challenge
2004-5 and Challenge Transat 2002 (a transatlantic race from Southampton
to Boston and back).
Friday, 15 February 2002
The moment I have been dreading for many months has finally arrived.
Shortly before six o'clock the generator was started and within
five minutes we were all outside warming up for an early morning
run and exercises around dark, frosty Southampton. Thankfully
my winter training paid off, and I managed to pace myself and
run the distance without passing out!
Back on the yacht, breakfast was served, and our first duty was
to clean and tidy up, above and below deck. This was followed
by a visit to Challenge Business's office to watch the heavy weather
video with former Global Challenge Skipper, Jeremy Troughton (now
Training Manager). To show that the world's toughest yacht race
can also be fun, we were shown a video of the actor (and previous
race legger) Robert Powell's impersonation of David Attenborough
giving a 'wildlife commentary' on the habits of crew volunteers.
The morning continued with a tour of the boat - to remind us
where everything was, and how it worked - paying particular attention
to the safety aspects, including the activation of liferafts and
use of the various communication and distress systems: VHF, HF,
EPIRB, Inmarsat, flares, and flags to name a few.
After a hot lunch of pasties and baked beans (such a good idea
with so many people living in a confined space?), we headed out
into the beautifully sunny Solent and practised tacking, gybing,
reefing the mainsail, and changing headsails. I also took over
the helm and had my first go at issuing commands to the crew to
tack and gybe.
We moored at Cowes Harbour for the night, had some steaming spaghetti
bolognese and revised the man overboard procedure, before crashing
out for some well earned zzz's.
Saturday, 16 February 2002
The day started with a refreshing shower at Cowes Yacht Club
- a luxury that won't be enjoyed during the actual race - then
after breakfast we sailed to the Hamble to fill up the yacht's
diesel tanks, to enable us to have sufficient fuel to motor into
the Thames. On the way someone managed to ground the yacht, but
I won't mention who was helming at the time, Skip!!
Back at sea, we headed out of the Solent and practised the man
overboard procedure. At first the plan was to sail towards Brighton
Marina and spend the night there, but this soon changed and we
were to sail continuously overnight, zigzagging along the channel.
We split into two watch groups, Rum and Punch. Rum included Alina,
Birgit, Dan, Nick, and myself, under the supervision of Ian. Each
watch would alternate four hours through the night, and six hours
during the day.
Before commencing our first watch (8pm-midnight), a pork stir-fry
was prepared for dinner, which I cautiously avoided. Spending
time below deck in a boat that was rolling all over the place
was playing havoc with my balance systems, and I was feeling a
little queasy. Soon enough I had to make a quick dash for the
nearest plastic bag, to fill with the contents of my earlier lunch.
I eventually made it on deck and was hoping that the sickness
would pass once I was able to focus on a horizon. No such luck!
From time to time other crewmembers would pop their heads out
of the companionway hatch for 'some fresh air', shortly followed
by the inevitable re-acquaintance with their meal. I began to
feel awfully cold and shivery, and was still heaving, so was promptly
stripped out of my foulies and sent to my bunk to warm up and
lie down horizontally.
Rum's next watch started at 4am, and still in a daze, I was able
to get up and start to put my foulies back on - uh oh - luckily
I was clutching a bag just in case.
After being sent back to my bunk again, I began to wonder what
on earth I was doing, and how was I going to survive any length
of time at sea in rough conditions. All I wanted to do was collapse
asleep, yet I felt awful that I was letting down my fellow watch
members - I was utterly useless!
Sunday, 17 February 2002
I eventually resurfaced late morning, still feeling delicate,
and wary to partake in the fabulous fry-up being served. The Genoa
headsail was up as the wind had quietened considerably and the
sea state was now a calm similar to that found in the Doldrums.
I felt pretty shaky on my feet though, but Ian commented how nice
it was to see some colour back in my face!
Our tuition continued as Jasper showed us how to prepare a spinnaker
sail for hoisting, although the calm weather had forced us switch
the motor on for the remainder of the South Coast, past the landmarks
of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.
This evening's first Rum watch started from 10pm until 2am. Thankfully
my appetite had returned and beforehand we had an enjoyable dinner
of chicken curry and rice. This was particularly necessary as
I had to replace lost energy, and prepare myself for the cold
night ahead.
We spent the night crossing the world's busiest shipping lanes,
where I learned how to record entries in the log book, and mark
the yacht's position on the navigation chart. The wind picked
up considerably so we took two reefs out before waking up Punch
watch (a bit late, but I don't think they minded the lie-in),
after which I made a round of hot drinks before making a quick
beeline to my bunk (just in case)!
Monday, 18 February 2002
Rum watch were woken up gently just before 6am. It was still
dark, with well below freezing temperatures, so I wore four layers
of clothes below my foulies (foul weather gear). We had now entered
the mouth of the Thames and had the motor running in order to
make it in time to reach St Katherine's Dock.
We kept an eye out for navigation marks and other ships, and
tidied away the headsails, keeping the mainsail reefed to help
speed us along. I helmed for a bit then headed below deck for
a breakfast of porridge and bacon sandwiches. It was a beautifully
sunny morning, but brisk, and most of the crew stayed on deck
to enjoy the sightseeing.
By the late afternoon we had arrived at our final destination,
St Katherine's Dock, where the yacht attracted considerable attention
from curious onlookers. Then after having my first shower and
change of clothes since Saturday morning, we headed over to the
Dickens Inn for some deserved liquid refreshment, followed by
some delicious Indian cuisine.
Tuesday, 19 February 2002
We had sailed to London so that a potential sponsor could see
the yacht and meet with Sir Chay Blyth, so now we had to undertake
the mother of all cleaning operations! Birgit and I had the unenviable
task of cleaning out the bilges, which were rather dirty!
After my personal debriefing with Ian, Dad arrived and I gave
him an exclusive tour around the boat. Everyone then had the opportunity
to be hoisted up the mast, about 100 feet high, which was pretty
exhilarating even though the yacht was safely moored and motionless
- imagine what it must be like in the open ocean in stormy conditions!
Overall, I was disappointed that I suffered so badly with seasickness
during this training session, but also encouraged that I recovered
after only one night. It's useless taking motion-sickness tablets
when they won't keep down, so next time I'll try patches which
can be effective for longer periods.
I hope to repeat this Continuation course, as I don't feel particularly
confident enough to move to the next level yet, and there's still
plenty of time to go before the actual race! Also, to gain some
extra sailing experience, I've signed up at the Brighton Marina
Yacht Club to learn more about this thrilling sport!
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