The PowerBar Three Peaks Yacht Race
Ennerdale
Rob Howard / 30.06.2008
While the leaders and record setters had fine conditions yesterday afternoon, the teams this afternoon had to contend with dense cloud and high winds on the summit. “Horrible� was the general consensus and many of the later teams reported having difficulty finding their way. One of the runners off Paget’s Lady was struggling with a sore knee and Whisky Galore’s runners, who were making a good pace and sticking together well, had pulled ahead of the pair from Caol Ila.
As they jogged into the old barn at Gillerthwaite Youth Hostel, which is used as the bike/run/bike transition, Chris Brookes and Andrew Harris off Caol Ila were pleased to finally get off their feet and just said, “That’s a long, long way!� He added that the mountain climb was the best part of the day.
They had a 5 minute transition to get on their cycling equipment and were then on their way again for the hilly ride to Whitehaven. At least the final stage is all downhill to the coast. Their only obstacle, apart from the hills, was a flock of lambs blocking the road.
There was no particular rush as the tide in the lock gates is currently out, and no one can leave until 18.00, so it’s possible the back-markers will be bunched together for the start of the final stage. Whisky Galore and Caol Ila are likely to leave together (a matched pair of Whisky loving boats!) and it may be the final 3 boats will be back in time to join them.
SleepMonsters
