At Last, We Have Arrived

What an epic that was, I never thought a simple task of getting a yacht from the Solent to Cork in July could become such a nightmare.

Allie has done a fantastic job of the logistics back at base to ensure that Puma got across the Irish Sea. I think we all owe her a very large drink, a big present and lots of gratitude. Without her fantastic support there is no way we would have got here!

Ben and I were very relieved when Pete Summers and his fiancée, Tori, arrived in Newlyn on Friday evening to help us get Puma to Cork. For my part it meant that I could get some much needed sleep (I actually slept for 30 hours, all the way across the Irish Sea)! What a lightweight!

Ben has been fantastic this week, it is his first real offshore experience and he was faced with hours on deck standing watch in particularly unpleasant conditions. He took up the challenge and had a brilliant time with a great sense of achievement upon arrival. Full credit to Ben for a sterling effort.

We arrived at 0630 on Sunday morning and by 0930 Puma were raced prepped and ready to go out training. Time for Ben and myself to get off and allow Pete to take the team out for the day. I am having a couple of days off now and look forward to getting out with the team on Tuesday.

Dave Latham has now arrived in Cork and will be sharing the skippering role with me over the next few days. What a team effort! Thank Allie for a great job.

Now everyone looks forward to some great racing over the next five days. God luck Puma.