The Three Peaks Yacht Race 2016
Pure Attitude Top the Results Table
Rob Howard / 15.06.2016
The second team across the line at this year’s race were Pure Attitude and they came in at a sprint!
Jack Bush and George McDonald raced down the newly relaid towpath, even dipping across the line, then doubling over to catch their breath, holding on to each other briefly before Fergus McDonald rushed in to hug them both.
The runners had clearly given everything and McDonald said, “We didn’t want to push too hard, too early, but by the end just had to give it all we had.” He added, “It was really cold up there!”
The weather has been deteriorating during the morning, the wind getting up (and breaking the finish banner) and the rain continuing. The crews were complaining waiting at the finish is wetter than being on the boat!
The team have been the surprise package of the race in a way and their third leg sail had put them in contention for the win. This makes it more surprising that they’ve not sailed together before, and have been planning for the race for a couple of months.
John Klintworth told me; “I haven’t sailed much for years, nor has Fergus, and I only got involved through work and accepted the offer to try the Three Peaks Yacht Race without really knowing what I was getting into!”
Martin Grey, who is the boat owner said, “It was interesting having some non-sailors aboard! The boys had tremendous enthusiasm, but no idea what we were talking about! And John was using sailing terms from 25 years ago, or South African terms I didn’t get. We were all over the place when we put the spinnaker up for the first time off Bardsey head!”
He added, “The boat’s been good and went well in the light winds near the start, but I’ve found it’s not good to row! I don’t like rowing it at all!” Klintworth said, “It’s a fast sailor/cruiser and has been pretty comfortable.”
At the time of finishing the team didn’t know if their adjusted time on IRC handicap had bettered that set by Aparito, but after the numbers had been into the results spreadsheet they had! Their adjusted time of 3 days 23 hours 29 minutes was 39 minutes quicker than Aparito’s and at present they are the top ranked team, waiting to see what times others will set.
Realistically their main rival is Wight Rose, whose runners have now arrived, but it looks like will be hard pressed. They are likely to be the quickest, and to win the King of the Mountains title, but can they knock Pure Attitude off the top spot? We’ll have to wait a few more hours to find out ...
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