The Three Peaks Yacht Race
Careful Preparation
Rob Howard / 18.06.2005
The team from 848 Naval Air Squadron are the only military team in this year’s race (so that’s one trophy they’ve won!) and have been hard at work since before Christmas. “At least we don’t have to charter, as we can use the Navy sailing club boats at Falmouth�, said Derek Scott, “but even so it’s been a lot of hard work and is an achievement just to get to the start.�
“We’ve done some training weekends and tried to do sail/run trips as a crew and been inspired by Major John Rye. He showed us videos of the early races and gave us a lot of advice and support, though he was disappointed there was no marines boat for us to race against.� (Rye is a veteran of many past races.)
“We have to come thinking we can win and be competitive,� said Keith Toon, “but the boat weighs 11 tonnes. It’s a flippin heavy boat! We have 4 oars on board, but even so, in light winds we’ll struggle.� And light winds are forecast too ….
All the Galahad crew are new to the race, and so are the Hummingbird team. “We have a meteorologist, stage hand and 3 engineers on board,� said Paul Stacy, “so we all have practical skills and make a good team. We trust the others to get on with whatever job needs doing.� The team have regularly chartered the Westerley Typhoon they are sailing for trip around the Scottish islands, so know the latter part of the race well and have all been on trips to run the mountains they will be climbing.
“We are in the Tilman trophy and our aim is for all 5 of the crew to reach a summit, not just 4,� added Stacy. “One of us has to run two peaks and we all wanted to do it, but Hugh has been picked so he’s down for Snowdon and Ben Nevis. We know we are not great runners, but if we finish mid-range we’ll be happy. Third in the Tilman would be good enough for us.�
The team are raising money for Diabetes UK (most teams are raising money for charity), and have their own team website (www.teamhummingbird.org) where they will post updates from the boat during the race and donations can be made.
They also have a secret weapon! They’ve built sliding rowing seats to fit onto the deck for use when they need to row. Given the forecast they may well need them!
SleepMonsters
