The Three Peaks Yacht Race
Indian Summer Arrives
Rob Howard / 26.06.2006
The team had arrived in Fort William in 25 knots of wind at 18.11 on Friday, a tide earlier than expected and for the two runners conditions on Ben Nevis were remarkably good, with some clear patches and, astonishingly, no wind on the summit. The crew and support were waiting for them at the foot of the mountain (where there is a pub) and turned out to cheer them on, along with most of the drinkers from the bar!
They ran in along the side of the Caledonian Canal to finish at 23.17 and were greeted with a continuation of the party from the pub and a spray of champagne from their delighted team. They’d finished over 2 days behind the 8th placed team and were proud and resounding winners of the ‘Last Inn’ Cup. “We’re the only crusier to finisher,� said Skipper Keith Mander, “and we’re really proud of that.� They also missed the race party by 24 hours ... but had their own anyway.
The team had taken shelter against the appalling weather for much of Tuesday and Wednesday in Port Patrick, and had overcome injury and difficult sailing conditions to stay in the race.
“Our runners did so well to keep us in the race�, said Mander. “We were among the last to arrive at Caernarfon, but they gained so many places and we were really encouraged. The trouble was our marathon runner, Dave Walsh, injured his knee on Snowdon, so Josh Wright had to step in to complete the Scafell Pike stage.�
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