---

What a Race!

Rob Howard / 03.07.2008

The 2008 PowerBar 3 Peaks Yacht Race will be remembered as one of the fastest and most competitive ever, and has one of the highest finish rates anyone can remember. And there is still one yacht out there as Sanoodi set off from Stranrear last night and are now rounding the Mull of Kintyre in their quest to reach the finish line. With the after race party moved forward to last night they sent Race Director Meic Ellis a text saying they were on their way and to save a dram for them!



The party on the cruiser Souters Lass was brought forward a day as everyone else had arrived (and a couple had left already), and it was a chance to exchange stories and catch up with other teams. It was a beautiful evening too, with fine views of Ben Nevis across the loch and good weather for standing up on deck to enjoy them. Everyone gathered on the foredeck for a finishers photo and Meic Ellis spoke to all the teams to thank them for their efforts.



The general consensus was this was a one-off race unlikely to be repeated; no one would expect to get such consistently favourable winds again, or for so many yachts to arrive within 3 days of the start. One of the best features of the race was there was close competition throughout, both on the mountains and at sea – everyone was racing someone else all the time.



A regular topic of conversation was whether to come back again, and although there were some ‘never again’ comments they were half hearted and qualified with ‘maybes’. Once this race gets under your skin it’s hard not to be drawn back again, and the chances are many of this year’s racers will be back in Barmouth again ready to take on the uncertainties and challenges of this classic race.

[Team Sanoodi withdrew on Friday morning after anchoring off Gigha in light airs and with no prospect of making the finish for the race closure on Saturday.]

See All Stories On This Race