The Three Peaks Yacht Race
The Weather Takes its Toll
Rob Howard / 19.06.2006
During the night the conditions on the mountain were appalling, with driving winds and heavy rain, and combined with fatigue from the first run, and a rough passage into Whitehaven it was too much for the runners from Influenzaprotection.co.uk and Redcoat.
Recoat were the first to retire. They completed the cycle ride to Ennderdale and pushed on up to Black Sail pass arriving on top around 22.00, when the weather was particularly bad. Already feeling ill they decided it was unwise to go on down into Wasdale on up Scafell Pike and made their way back to Whitehaven. They were considering trying again, but in the morning this was too tough a prospect and the team pulled out. Influenzaprotection.co.uk also withdrew after dawn on Monday morning at Wasdale Head and will be collected and driven back to Whitehaven. (Their crew were fast asleep and have no support crew here with them.)
All the runners were having difficulty and taking longer than they’d expected. Blondie’s bold prediction of a 7 hour time, became a 12 hour 50 minute trip, still not a bad time in the conditions.
Bill Tipper and Simon Hepple from the aptly named ‘Confusion’ got lost, missing the track up to Black Sail pass and took an 8 mile detour. They were still wearing shorts when they eventually arrived at Wasdale and their support crew insisted they rest up before attempting Scafell Pike. While they were on the mountain the rest of their crew were studying the weather forecast, which predicts some severe weather on Tuesday (force 7 to 8). This is a concern to the team in their small J80 but they are making no decisions on whether to continue yet … not until the skipper comes down off the mountain. Their current thinking is that they will go ahead but remain close inshore so they can take shelter if the need arises.
Nigel Gould and Colin Ricketts from Kithross II arrived at Wasdale Head very exhausted but are not giving up. With the permission of the race they’ve checking into the Wasdale Head Hotel! They may well rest up for Monday, attempt Scafell Pike before nightfall, then sleep the night at the hotel, coming back to Whitehaven Tuesday morning. The rest of the crew are planning on going to the hotel to have dinner with them tonight.
SleepMonsters
