---

Dusk to Dawn at Whitehaven

Rob / 27.06.2004

With the wind maintaining a steady South to South Easterly direction the times from Caernarfon to Whitehaven were quick, again the leaders were only just short of record time. Hellefix was the first to arrive at 16.06 – a time of 12 hours 28 minutes for the sail (against Spirit of Barmouth’s record of 12.03), and they’d pulled out good lead over Ryde Harriers who came through the tidal lock gates of the Marina at 17.37.

As is so often the case this lead could prove crucial and it always seems to be to the advantage of the team out in front. The two runners off Hellefix, Rob Barel and Machiel Ittman, will have time to make the ascent of Scafell Pike in daylight, while the chasing runners from Ryde Harriers may not. Hellefix should also get back in good time before the lock gates are closed. For 3 hours in the early morning the low tide forces the gates to remain shut and again Ryde Harriers may fall foul of this.

After last year they are probably more concerned with navigation though! Their race ended last time out after a huge ‘detour’ on the cycle ride out to Ennerdale, where the bikes are dropped and the run over Black Sail pass and then up Scafell Pike begins. The ride has a few twists and turns on country lanes and tracks, and it will be easy for teams to go wrong, especially in the dark. The run is a tough one too, with two big climbs and some tricky navigation on Scafell Pike, where once again teams will be at night. Many will have underestimated how long it will take and some are sure to go astray.

It is certainly one of the toughest challenges the Israeli team face, but they did exceptionally well on the second sail, arriving in 3rd place at 19.25, having overtaken many boats in the day. For this run Daniel Karen and Alon Peled set off, while Alon Levy was left to do the washing and recall his run on Snowdon.

See All Stories On This Race