Monday, 21 August 2006

Jaguar has done it!!

Jaguar Logic has done it!!

At 5.15pm this evening, Jaguar Logic powered over the finish line of the Round Britain & Ireland race, achieving 4th in class, a remarkable achievement. A very happy and jubilant crew stepped off the yacht in Cowes to a warm welcome from family, friends and crew from Puma Logic. A very tired skipper Pete Summers paid tribute to his team, saying they couldn’t have worked harder, and hoped that some day they might sail again together, at which point the crew tried to throw him into the sea – perhaps they were trying to tell him something!!
At Shamrock Quay this evening, 18 very tired sailors are making their way home after a remarkable adventure. It seems both yachts have sailed some 500 miles more than the course distance, after the weather was not kind and forced them to beat to windward for most of the trip around the British Isles. Posted by Philippe Falle at 10:28 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Puma Logic crosses the line!!

At 04.03 Puma Logic crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron line, to finish 2nd in class, and 12th on the water, a fantastic achievement. Family and friends ventured out in a rib at 2am to find them in the Eastern Solent, and followed the yacht all the way home. Torrential rain and lumpy seas greeted the yacht across the Royal Yacht Squadron line, and champagne, beer and fresh food greeted them when tying up at the new Trinity Pontoon. A fantastic achievement for all onboard and the first person to step aboard the yacht was Sara Stanton, who was forced to get off the yacht early on Day 3 with Salmonella food poisoning. After 4 days in hospital and a week recovering, all is now well. An emotional reunion with Skipper Philippe and the rest of the crew followed and a few tears were shed! The yacht and crew are now safely ashore at our home base of Shamrock Quay Marina, and most have now gone to hotels to catch up on sleep and have a well deserved shower.

More news later today when jaguar finish – they are expected at 5pm Posted by Philippe Falle at 12:35 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Sunday, 20 August 2006

Day 14 - update

Both yachts have called in this morning and all is well on board. Puma were off Dover at 0600 hrs with Jaguar some 90 miles behind entering the top of the Thames estuary. Conditions overnight have been breezy and Pete Summers, Skipper of Jaguar said that they have had an awesome nights sailing. The wind has freed off letting the yacht sail on a more comfortable and quicker sailing angle, and the yacht has been averaging well over 8 knots. Their distance to go this morning at 0700 BST was just less than 200 miles. Puma I think have been sleeping on the rail all last night, trying to eke out every last inch of boat speed out of Puma. The sad news this morning, is that after 11 days of struggling to get past Mostly Harmless Puma had done it, which was fantastic news, but we have heard since that this yacht has had to go into Dover to evacuate 2 injured crew members, for which we all hope they are going to be ok, what a shame. Again it just shows what a hard, tough and arduous race this has been. Posted by Philippe Falle at 1:33 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Saturday, 19 August 2006

Day 13 - Jaguar Logic in night-time drama

he wind always seems to follow us and head us again. This was not helped by the fact all the way up the western coast with the wind on the nose everyone was hoping for a bit of a spinnaker run back home. Spirits are still high although it is obvious that tiredness is starting to creep into everything a little more.

As I mentioned yesterday was an eventful day and it kept everyone on their toes. At lunch time we were having a lovely sail on a beam to broad reach in about 20 knots of breeze, it was perfect. I made the call to hoist the spinnaker because although we might have to bear away 10* the extra speed would give us a better VMG. Not to mention the smile factor of sailing at around 11 knots. This was short lived about 20 mins after the hoist the wind veered pushing us off course even more and increased to over 30 so we dropped. The smiles were still big as we were doing around 9 knots in the right direction under white sails surfing at 10.5 knots. A few hours later the wind died and it was time to put up the #1 genoa as we were dropping the sail the halyard snapped about a meter from the top and fell back down through the mast, bugger. Well surprise surprise the wind increased again time for the #3, fairly standard stuff for offshore racing. In the mean time while easing the main sheet Mick slipped banging his back putting him out of action. Dr Jon says he should be fine but needs to rest and no jarring, not easily done on a 38’ race boat.

At about 0115 I awoke to a lot of muttering on deck followed by Peter coming down tapping me on the shoulder saying the #3 is jammed at the top of the mast not going up or down. With the wind around 10 knots we needed it down and the #1 up. There was only one thing for it someone had to go up to see what the problem was. Peter very kindly volunteered and got harnessed up ready to go. We had to bear away to make it more comfortable and safer for him to go up. At the top he called back down to say the halyard had come off the pulley and was now jammed between the mast and the pulley and he was
unable to free it. He swopped it with another halyard and came down. Two
halyards down and only two left. We are going to have to be even more careful. It was now 0345 the slowest headsail change in history was now complete only 2 ½ hours of sailing in the wrong direction.

Everything is sorted now I hope and we are all ready and raring to go again but very much looking forward to getting to the finish line.

Regards Pete Posted by Philippe Falle at 11:46 AM 0 comments Leave Comment

Friday, 18 August 2006

Day 12 - Jaguar Logic blogging well

General
Flugga watch update (Stuart, Mags, Mick and Rich) - Thursday 15th 17:46 Tuesday night saw the Flugga watch taking the boat around Muggle Flugga, the Northern most tip of the British Isles. The event was characterized by a level of considerable stress as Stuart helmed the boat in total darkness, thick fog, moderate winds and heavy swell through the gaps between rocks.
Pedro provided the navigation direction and inspirational words of motivational encouragement from the chart table, whilst the rest of the crew trimmed and reminded Stuart of the difference between a tack and a gybe (just in time!). Not quite the picture postcard view of the lighthouse and the surrounding landscape we had all hoped for, but job done!

Later that morning the wind died and the fog closed in, emerging from the mist a fisheries commission boat stalked us for a few hours, obviously unaware that a large mast and race sails are not conducive to landing an illegal hawl of North Sea Cod.

Moral remains high and we shared a celebratory glass of champagne with the muddled watch on deck. Watch leader Stuart has been distributing love hearts to the crew as he struggles to come to terms with his heightened emotions (I love you too hot lips!). Mags is keeping us entertained with her constant chatter and rather unconventional trimming theories.

A new crew member joined on Wednesday in the form of Chamomile Flugga, a tiny green finch who landed on the decks seeking shelter. He was provided food and water by Mick "birdman" Moore and a safe haven for the night before being tended in the morning. Regrettably his condition deteriorated and he passed away the following morning to receive full Jaguar Logic ceremonial burial at Sea (Nudged off the stern in a cardboard teabag box).

We now have 500 miles to go and may perhaps arrive back on Monday evening, to keep ourselves entertained we are taking it in turns to break the pump unit on the heads, trying to perfect Rich's Janet Street-Porter impressions and count the number of times Mick disappears for a "quite moment" after his world record attempt for continuous constipation flounders.

Hero of the watch (self appointed) - Mags, our pint sized, light wind helming specialist.

The Flugga watch continues its mission to boldly go where only one (thanks
Skip) Reflex 38 has been before and circumnavigate the British and Irish Isles, to be continued.....

Hi Allie,

Blog from Muckle watch (Ali, Andy, Jon and Peter)

After another frustrating day, the wind arrived late in the evening and built from 10kts to 20kts. Jaguar is now sporting her #3 headsail and sprinting along and 8.3kts with the wind on the beam (ed. Just hit 9.2kts and 9.0kts VMG). With excellent VMG our finish time is now looking much better - Aug 2006 rather than sometime in 2009! Muckle passed the two evening watches away trimming and playing 20 questions animal, vegetable or mineral. Andy pulled one out of the bag and got 'oil rig' on question two!
This is probably connected to us now navigating around oil rigs and avoiding their exclusion zones. It is amazing to see the size of these beasts and the intensity of their lights is very confusing at night compared to normal night lights as the rigs are seen much further away than expected.
Accompanying the rigs are their support vessels which monitor the area around the rigs and ensure no unauthorised vessels enter the exclusion zones around the rigs and well heads. We were asked to alter course yesterday by a friendly Scot when we thought we'd already given enough berth to a rig, so we are now being more cautious when we see them. Thankfully we have AIS which picks up the rigs and the support vessels so we can plot our course through them with care. Without it we would have a much more difficult passage south through them, especially further south where there are rigs every 5 miles or so.

In attempting to catch Puma, Jaguar is now trying to emulate some of their tactics. Overnight yesterday a winch handle committed suicide, ably helped by the preventer and yesterday evening the washing up bucket was lost overboard (mate Peter ably demonstrating how not to fill the bucket with sea water at the side of the boat rather than in the stern wash). We are now convinced these weight saving techniques used by Puma pre-start are why they have pulled away from us in the last few days. No further items are planned to go overboard! Fortunately we have a spare bucket and it is currently being disinfected to replace the lost one.

We have to run the engine in neutral everyday to recharge the batteries and everyone has been asked to be especially careful when moving around near the throttle. Over-revving the engine could be terminal if a gasket were to blow. Whilst everyone has done it, Peter also managed to kick the throttle yesterday and was now very worried what his third mishap was going to be.
Fortunately he split some milk this morning and is now feeling much relieved. Allie has also been spilling things, as evidenced by tea stains all over her foulies. Posted by Philippe Falle at 11:06 AM 0 comments Leave Comment

Thursday, 17 August 2006

Day 11 - Puma in heads drama

Can it get any worse??
Upwind all the way to Muckle Flugga, go past rock, head south, and by jingo, the wind is on the nose again! It saw us coming!
Latest statistics from the yacht:

Number of dinners left: 2
Amount of loo roll left: Nil
Number of books left: 1/4 of a 200 pager
Number of toilets (heads) working: 0!!!
Number of winch handles left: 1
Number of buckets left: 1
Number of medivacs 1
Number of crew needing to get back to work on Monday 4!
Amount of dry clothes left 0

The crew are in good spirits still but the loss of the use of the loo has seriously dropped morale. Some of the crew are risking using the heads taking a bucket of water with them, others are using the traditional method of bucket and chuck it, but the brave are using the opportunity to get some sunlight to those areas that normally remain in darkness, and are using the transom! Posted by Philippe Falle at 4:27 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Day 11 - Where are the wind gods???

Slowly does it……well, the Logics continue to battle with the elements, and the wind and weather gods seems to be on holiday at present. Jaguar is having their own private tussle with Nigel Tuttle’s Sidney and Puma continue to catch up Mostly Harmless and then lose sight of here again, what an amazing race. 1000 miles already sailed and still within sight of other boats in class.
Thoughts on the boats are starting to turn towards when they might finish and a few are worried about getting back to work. If this e-mail is finding its way to the in boxes of any bosses out there, please be kind and gentle to them! They are going as fast as they can!
At present speeds it is looking likely that it will be Monday rather than Sunday when they will be in but it is still very early to give a more accurate eta.
All’s well still on both yachts, keep praying wind! Posted by Philippe Falle at 12:14 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Wednesday, 16 August 2006

Day 10 - Muckle watch report from Jaguar Logic

Muckle watch report (Peter, Ali, Andy, Jon)

(since this update we have rounded Muckle Flugga through thick fog and are now slowly creeping south (or North depending on who is at the helm)

All continues well on board although we'd be drier if we were in a sieve.
Now constantly trimming (for Andy this means his beard) and reached half way a day or so ago, (rounding MF last night). Our world is still divided into
the clean (Muckle + Skipper Pedro) the dirty (Flugga). Pedro has confined
himself to the galley once he realized how cold it was on deck. Our heartfelt thanks go out to him and quartermaster Allie for the variety and quality of food provided, which has kept the crew going. Outside of the watch system he maintains strength and vigilance ready to spring gazelle like into action when called (infrequently). The crew are heartened and encouraged each morning by his daper, refreshed and unfatigued approach, a look the crew hope to regain in due course.

The first mate's wit remains razor like (ed. as sharp as a teaspoon through burnt porridge with a dash of Nutella). Luckily for the Muckle watch he has decided to follow the skippers lead and spends most nights down below at the chart table navigating and sleeping. It was only on day 7 whilst commenting on the delightful Scottish highland spring water made by the water maker that the mate advised that we shouldn't be using the heads when running the water maker, as the heads outlet is forward of the water maker inlet! This might account for the queasiness felt in the early days!

Now the crew have learnt how to trim, by patient and extensive tuition by the skipper and first mate, supplemented by Jon and Andy's reading of "sail and trim tactics". Jon and Andy hope to pass on their experience to the Flugga watch when they have finished Chapter 2. Meanwhile Ali reads Air Babylon. (note that Richard (aka Litle Cashy) of Flugga watch has already requested to read it on his off watch)

Commander Jon (009) up to now considered to be ex SBS (he has on several occasions disappeared during the night watch when another boat has been nearby only for it to vanish suddenly) has been uncovered as a ballet dancer and he and Ali waltzed the night away pirouetting the boat through a 720 degree spin. In the event of the protest we have a 720 in the bag. As the weather was fair Ali grabbed the helm for what seemed like only the 2nd or 3rd time and turned in a magnificent 4 hours charging towards Muckle Flugga as she was fed "E"'s all night by mate Peter just to keep her awake. Anyone would think there was a glass of champagne waiting for her at Muckle Flugga.


Andy busies himself taking action photos, something he has been doing continually since the 10 minute gun. Unfortunately every time there is a fantastic action photograph opportunity the boat is just a little too busy for anyone to be taking photos, so he is now posing ridiculously like a model the other side of the lens for the first time pretending to trim. The sun is now out and Pedro has graced Muckle watch with his presence taking the helm and slowing the boat down to 7.5 knots from 8.6 kts.

Ali has lost interest in Jeu D'Esprit and has fallen in love with one of the skippers who called for a chat on VHF a couple of days ago. Boat name available on request.

Talk continues of estimated finish time as most of the crew are expected back at work on Monday and some are concerned whether they will have a job if they return some months later from this snail crawl. Sleazy Jet supermodel Andy has already moved his flight home once and now wants to borrow the boat from Allie to get home (note - he is clearly suffering as he lives inland and hasn't worked out you cant drive boats on roads)

Well, now time for another watch. Posted by Philippe Falle at 5:57 PM 2 comments Leave Comment

Day 10 - thoughts from Pete Summers, Skipper Jaguar Logic

We have finally got back into the land of the living as far as the computer is concerned. We managed to get all the software up and running a couple of days ago but then had continual problems of not being able to send messages or would lose them after the crew had spent hours typing then out. You would have thought though with a couple of computer wizzes on board it would not have taken quite so long.

All is going well and we are all very relieved to finally be around Muckle Flugga. Tensions had been running high for the last few days as we never seemed to be getting any closer and every time we thought the wind had freed it would either drop or swing back and head us again meaning yet more beating. The actual rounding was a bit of an anti-climax with thick mist obscuring the rock so all you could see was a very eerie loom of the light,
likened to something out of a hammer horror movie. But now we are around
and that is all behind us now, helped a little by a small glass of champagne. We are on the true homeward leg. Spirits are high again and the frantic trimming continues. At the moment we are sat in the middle of a depression centered over the Shetlands so the wind is very light and from every direction. We have taken this rare opportunity with the boat being upright to try and catch up on some of the boat husbandry and cleaning which had been reduced to merely sponging out about 5 gallons of water from the bilges at every watch change while at a 30* heal, and sort out that evenings meal before it got too wet. Jon and I are also going to take this opportunity to make some fresh bread to go with our packet soup for lunch!

The mistake was made of assuming because we had beat to windward all the way up here it would be a bit of a downhill sleigh ride on the way back and we would have the opportunity to dry some of our kit out. But oh no, it is still thick mist outside and everything is even more damp than before including our bunks which just seem to be getting worse. And guess what we are still going to windward. We did get a token bit if spinnaker flying for about 6 hours this morning after rounding in the mist and about 4 knots of wind.

Must dash have meals to cook and bilges to sponge.

Pedro Posted by Philippe Falle at 5:54 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Day 10 - thoughts from Puma Logic's Richard Donkin

Muckle Flugga at the northernmost tip of the British Isles is one of those places you learn about in school, then push to the back of your mind for the occasional recollection in a pub quiz. For the past few days among the crew of Puma Logic it has been the very centre of our universe.

It’s the turning point, the corner, the pinnacle of our northerly beat through almost unrelenting winds at a time of year we ought to be sunbathing. Instead most of our sun cream is still packed away in the darkest reaches of the hold where sloshing bilge water penetrates all but the most tightly sealed container.

In all the buffeting we have taken sea water has penetrated the food bags, destroying some of our meals and forcing a stock take this afternoon. We have enough but the menu will need adjusting.

The watches have been adjusted too, playing to strengths and weaknesses. Just now, with two crew nursing injuries – although nothing broken – we are talking about more of the latter.

In the circumstances morale remains remarkably high. But the way to get through these endurance events is to take your sleep when you can, eat when you can and always save one hand for the boat.

Just now, chasing second place in our class, we are pushing the boat hard. Philippe Falle, our skipper, is quite the Captain Bligh at times, demanding ever faster sail changes and boat speeds. We trim the sails constantly through the night. Downtime? There is no downtime.

It’s like that old song, ‘three wheels on my wagon, and I’m still rollin’ along.’, except the Cherokees are in front and behind.

How long this can be sustained is anybody’s guess. The yacht itself has held together well since our steering breakage a week ago, achieving impressive speeds But can the crew hold together?

People are not machines, even when asked to work like one. We are still feeling the loss of our first mate, Sara Stanton, to salmonella – the good news is that she is out of hospital and recovering at home. I wish I was recovering at home too and would gladly swap beds. In the same way I know she would rather be here.

Isn’t life cruel? The one who would rather be sailing, and whose skills we miss so much, cannot be with us. While the one who would rather be fishing – that’s me - whose skills would hardly be missed at all, is feeling really quite well.

I’m cast as the fly in the ointment on this boat, Philippe’s very own Fletcher Christian. All the pumped-up motivational stuff leaves me cold and probably makes some believe I couldn’t care less how we finish this race. But I do care.

Before we started we spent time working on a list of team values – a set of principles that would govern our behaviour on the boat. Among them are words such as ‘respect for the sea’, ‘positivity’, ‘sensitivity’ and ‘enjoyment’. There’s also ‘harmony’.

At times I will admit that I have struggled to embrace every one of these values and I doubt if I’m alone in that. But I think that all of us keep the first one at heart. As far as we finish safely and as friends, I’ll be happy.

Wherever you may be reading these lines it might be tempting to believe they have been knocked off in a few idle moments. In fact, between sentences I’m passing up buckets of dirty bilge water on deck. My bunk is occupied by an injured crew mate and it is time to make lunch.

A word here about bunks and lunch: we ‘hot bunk’ on board, taking whatever is available; but most of us seem to have our favourite spot. Mine is a kind of ‘nest’ on the high side using a spare mattress shaped against the sail cloth. Get the nest right and sleep is assured.

Lunch today is fresh-baked bread and soup. There is the immaculate conception and there is fresh-baked bed in 20 knots of wind. We have made the bread so that, at least, is something in which we can believe.

So on to Muckle Flugga it has another, unrepeatable nickname her on board Puma. Just above on the chart, in big purple letters, it says: Area To Be Avoided. Can’t anyone read?

By Richard Donkin
15 August 2006 Posted by Philippe Falle at 1:55 PM 1 comments Leave Comment

Day 10 - The Rounding of Muckle Flugga

Well, apologies for the lack of stories coming from the yachts. To be honest they were just so annoyed at the lack of wind and then the little there was having to beat into it, that there was nothing of great interest coming off the yachts apart from grumpy, tired, wet and cold sailors!

Puma called in late last night to say that they had gone around it to a huge cheer from everyone onboard but slightly disappointed that they were unable to see the infamous mark of the course due to severe lack of visibility. As it was during daylight hours, they weren’t even treated to the loom of the lighthouse. Jaguar has called this morning to day that they have rounded it in a similar state – low mist, drizzle and not a rock in sight.

Puma have had more calamities on board…..one third of Puma’s food on board is de-hydrated rations, and unfortunately with all the bouncing about beating towards the top, the de-hydrated has become hydrated and therefore has gone to feed the fish and sacrificed to the wind gods, instead of the crew. The food was double bagged and stowed safely but that dreaded bilge water manages to get everywhere. They should have enough food onboard to compensate however, as the first few days very little was eaten due to seasickness etc but at least with less food the loo roll rations may last a little longer! There is talk of a loo roll thief onboard, that instead of taking their own personal stash to the heads when needed, pinches other crew members instead…..more on this later.

Both Jaguar and Puma have put up their spinnakers at last and rested the genoas, which are now being looked at for any sign of damage and wear and tear, ready for the next sail change. Jaguar have reported a winch handle overboard……apparently a crew member got so excited that the kite was up and inadvertently knocked it off the winch whilst getting ready to trim…….more sacrifices to the wind gods.

All the families are following the race with avid interest. Mark Taylor on Puma Logic got a message from home yesterday. It said..”Dear Mark, Please can you arrive back by the 23rd as Auntie Margaret and Uncle Dennis are coming to stay. Auntie Sheila is very worried about the lack of loo rolls, hope you are ok. Love from Mum and Auntie Sheila”. Posted by Philippe Falle at 11:22 AM 0 comments Leave Comment

Tuesday, 15 August 2006

Day 9 - Artemis crosses the finish line

Things are getting very tense up in the island of Scotland at the moment. Magnum, class leader on the water has rounded Muckle Flugga, the most northerly part of the course. She is now on the homeward leg, sailing due South. Puma has made up a little ground on Magnum during the night as well as second placed yacht on the water, Mostly Harmless. Puma has also extended her lead a little over Jaguar Logic to 30 miles but as we all know, things are changing very quickly at the moment. Jaguar have reported this morning that they have nice winds between 6-12 knots, they are sailing along under full main and no 1 Genoa and all onboard are enjoying themselves and in good spirits. They have managed to get away from Sidney and put a few more miles between them, now at 11 miles, so they doubled the distance overnight.

The yachts have now travelled well-over half the distance, and although Muckle Flugga is seen as the halfway point, they are in fact already on the way home! As I have been sitting here in the office everyday watching every move the yachts have made, it has gradually dawned on me what an amazing race this is. Lots of yachts and crew take part in sailing adventures and races such as this one, but it is normally across the Atlantic or indeed across the channel, and more often than not in good weather and temperate seas. The Round Britain & Ireland race so far has shown that the waters around our islands can be brutal, extremely challenging tactically but also amazingly beautiful. Both teams have reported seeing lots of wildlife from dolphins, to large sea birds and shoals of fish. They have relished getting 'stuck in' and after the first wave of seasickness subsided, actually enjoyed the challenges living at a 30 degree angle can bring! Both Philippe (Puma Logic's Skipper) and I have raced around the world on the Challenge races, and have been into the Southern Ocean beating to windward in rough seas. Living at an angle of 30 degrees plus for weeks at a time was very mentally and physically exhausting. The guys onboard will have experienced this to some degree and on a little yacht with little comfort, have managed magnificently!

Looking at the standings page on the race website, you may have noticed that since Artemis has finished (congratulations Jonny!!) there is a new time to win reference. This means that to beat Artemis on handicap, they must come home before the given time. So for example, at the moment, Jaguar needs to cross the finish line off Cowes before Saturday 19 August at 01.22 hrs. Her estimated finish time at the moment is some 40 hours passed this time, 6pm on Sunday evening. This would be to win the race outright on handicap. As there is such as wide range of different yachts in the race from small to large, each yacht is given a handicap, and from the handicap put into classes. The Logic yachts are in IRC 1 class which is shown on the race website as Division C. During all the qualifying races, every time each yacht finished they were awarded points, which go towards the championship at the end of the season. So it is not just the positions the yachts finish in on this race, but where the points they get put them in the championship overall as well, so every second and every point counts!

A little known fact but did you know…..Muckle Flugga is a small rocky island north of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is often described as the northernmost point of the British Isles, but the smaller islet of Out Stack is actually farther north. The name comes from Old Norse, Mikla Flugey, meaning 'large steep-sided island. 'According to local folklore, Muckle Flugga and nearby Out Stack were formed when two giants, Herma and Saxa, fell in love with the same mermaid. They fought over her by throwing large rocks at each other, one of which became Muckle Flugga. To get rid of them, the mermaid offered to marry whichever one would follow her to the North Pole. They both followed her and drowned, as neither one could swim.
Muckle Flugga is home to a lighthouse, built by Thomas and David Stevenson in 1854, originally to protect ships during the Crimean War. The lighthouse was automated in 1995. Until then Muckle Flugga had been the northernmost inhabited point of the British Isles. Posted by Philippe Falle at 2:49 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Monday, 14 August 2006

Day 8 - a whole week at sea

Well, what a weekend. Puma and Jaguar continue to battle it out between themselves and there is still only 9 miles between them this morning at 0800 hrs (BST). The war of attrition continues as yet another yacht (Alice 2) retires making just 19 out of the original 28 still standing. The wind has been continuously on the nose for the last 5 days now and I know that both teams are hoping for a better wind direction soon so that they can get the spinnakers up and get some good downwind sailing in. With the spinnakers up, the speed of the yachts will increase and also their estimated time of arrival back here in the Solent.

Morale seems to be very high on both yachts with lots of laughter, banter and joviality. Jaguar called in late last night to say that 1 watch had managed to shower on deck when the rains came, but the other watch were asleep so half the yacht smells good and the other half…..well, I’ll leave that to your imagination. There is no running water on either yacht. We have fitted a Spectra water maker on both yachts as there was just not enough room to carry all the water necessary for this race from the start. The water makers are working well but only when the yacht is on starboard tack, so making water is a little bit of a lottery. The normal consumption onboard (or allowance) of water per person per day is between 3 and 4 litres. This is for everything; washing, drinking, cooking, hot drinks etc. The yachts each have 2 fitted flexible water tanks as well as numerous jerry cans, one which is permanently sealed as emergency water to be used if any of the onboard water should get contaminated or the water-maker stop working.

The menu over the weekend included Chilli con Carne on Saturday evening, Beef in Beer with mash last night and tonight it is Savoury Mince, another dehydrated delicacy! When choosing the menu, we looked at various types of meals available, and always had to think of weight, space, cost and most importantly, taste! The dehydrated meals that have been supplied are the same which are used on Round the World yacht races. Philippe and I swore we would never again eat this type of food but needs must, and nowadays they are very good, and also so long as you add some herbs and spices as well as re-hydrating the meat mixes very well, are actually not too bad. Both yachts are baking brad and also baking scones and flapjacks to enhance their menu. The 12 volt fridges onboard can be converted to warming boxes for proving the bread before they put the bread dough in the oven. There is nothing better on board a yacht than the smell of fresh baked bread. Again, taking enough long-life bread for 9 people for 15 days onboard a yacht was impossible due to space so bread mix is a great way of making sure that the diet stays interesting and also varied.

In the overall standings in the race, Magnum has increased her lead again to 70 miles ahead of Puma and the second placed yacht in class, Mostly Harmless is 14 miles ahead. Sidney continues to watch the transom of Jaguar and this morning is only 5.5 miles behind, so it is all very close in the middle of the pack. Mostly Harmless has taken another hike to the north west overnight, sailing away from the rhumb-line in order to get a better sailing angle and hopefully quicker boat speeds. Posted by Philippe Falle at 12:03 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Sunday, 13 August 2006

Day 7 - lunchtime thoughts

Jaguar have called in today and all is well. I was worried for a little while why they seemed to be heading into port but was reassured by Skipper Pete that he was just about to tack, and then he had to when the genoa lead car broke again. Not sure if it was the same problem as before or this was the other one but I am sure he will let us know in due course. The main news of the morning is the laptop onboard has died; whether this was Peter B throwong it overboard or it has just given up due to overuse we're not sure. However, they do have another onboard as a back up so hopefully they will be able to be back up and running with e-mails and navigation software soon. In the fleet, both yachts will hopefully have passed ythe 1000 miles or less lileston by the end of the day. This means that they are nearly half way but also have just under 2 Fastnet Races in distance still to travel, so it is still a long way to go! Both yachts have now got passed Jeu D'esprit and are closing in on Mostly Harmless. Magnum is still slow;ly extending her lead but the gap between the 2 logic's is now only 8 miles so its still really close! Sidney, the other sailing School yacht is 10 miels behind jaguar, after taking a flyer west yeaterday, so nothing much was lost or gained by that manouevre. Posted by Philippe Falle at 12:45 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Day 7 - morning update

No news is good news? Nothing from the yachts this morning. They are well into the western Isles of Scotland at present. Jaguar seems tohave fogotten that they have to go around all the outlying islands, I hope that they decide to tack soon! Good progress during the night, taking miles of Magnum and increasing the gap between them and Sidney. The forecast up there is still wind on the nose and now unfortuneately, lots of rain. I am here in Yorkshire and it is howling with wind and very wet. Dinner last night was another dehydrated delicacy, I beleieve it was savoury mince with mash.
I will post more news when I have it. Posted by Philippe Falle at 8:28 AM 0 comments Leave Comment

Saturday, 12 August 2006

Day 6 - Morning report

Puma and Jaguar Logic continue to bash away into Force 5 headwinds. Spirits are high, and everyone enjoying themselves even though living at an angle is creating all sorts of interesting scenarios.

Jaguar have called in this morning, all is well on board but are praying to the wind gods that they can ease sheets a little and flatten the boat off a bit for a little respite. Pete had a close call when he was cooking dinner, as his vegetarian meal nearly got mixed up with the rest of the crews Mutton Stew…..luckily he managed to extricate his plateful before it got all mixed up together.

Looking at the weather forecast, it seems that they have still some hours to go of these headwinds so please think of them out there.
Puma have been very quiet this morning, hopefully it’s because they are trimming so hard that they are too busy to come to the phone.

Things are getting quite tight between some of the yachts; Puma is still held with a piece of elastic with Jeu D’Esprit and Jaguar has now shaken off Predator of Wight. Mostly Harmless and Sidney have both gone off west searching for better wind angles to head further along the race track. They seem to be going quite well out there so it is definitely something to keep our eyes on. The Logic yachts are sticking to the game plan of trying to sail the shortest distance by keeping as close to the rhumb line as they can. This can work 2 ways: if the wind is on the nose (in front) then the yachts have to tack back and forwards to make any headway along the track. This can slow them down as they then have to sail more miles. If they head off shore, you have the risk of sailing more miles initially but then getting a better wind angle and better boat speed to compensate for the longer distance, so you can see, it really is like playing a game of chess out there! As well as these important decisions the skippers Philippe and Pete have to keep morale up on the yacht make sure the helms are steering in the right general direction and also keep everyone focused on the task in hand which is to get home as quickly as they can, safely.

Hopefully more this afternoon. I am now heading up North so that I can be nearer to the action if needed so please bear with me if the reports over the next 24 hours are a little erratic. Posted by Philippe Falle at 12:02 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Friday, 11 August 2006

Jaguar Logic crew talk back.......

Pete Summers aka Pedro aka MasterChef (Skipper of Jaguar Logic)
For me life on board is going well a little annoyed about loosing so much ground to Philippe (Puma Logic) last night and letting Sidney catch up so much. Other than that all is going well apart from the great debate amongst the crew as to when the first change of clothes comes. As of yet no one has told me I am particularly offensive so at least another day should be fine.

Well I am off now to make some flapjack now see you all soon.

Stuart Gow :
Story of the blind helmsman………
The Flying Fluggas were on watch and fast approaching a gas rig on tow. The helmsman had been doing well for the last hour keeping the boat on the perennial ‘best course to windward’. To avoid the rig the helm was asked to bear away to 025°. An unusual response followed…. ‘Can you please get my glasses from the chart table’. A bemused watch were then informed that the helm could not actually see ANY of the instruments including the compass. Not bad for a half blind helms person. Well done Mags

Mick Moore:
This is so extreme. Cold, wet, sick, tired. I would have stepped off the boat at any opportunity in the last 4 days. Even a wee has to be planned 30 mins in advance. But am feeling better today dolphins have been again, still looking forward to the end though. Now on watch with Flugga good music on the stereo and I feel 100% better.

Jon Barnes:
Living the life of Fungus the Bogeyman, eating Nutella straight from the jar, finding the heads pump handle has come away in you hand – This is ocean racing at its very best. Despite all, the genuine exhilaration and excitement.

Andy Eggleston (rookie crew member training for the Global Challenge Round the world race)
The conversation has deteriorated already. I now know ‘what and who’ I’m taking when I get stranded on a desert island, and kiss/marry/overboard has gone from supermodels to Maggie Thatcher (for the record, she went overboard). I also know that thinking about fishy milkshakes does not help sea-sickness, thanks Mcneillie - Ice Hot Alpine is going down, Dynamic gets all my recommendations from now on and I’m going to bbq Digby (not Emson) and Ava on my return.
Apart from that all good on board, saw dolphins this morning and haven’t fallen over board yet. Cracking bruise on my arm from falling out my bunk (Ali has just corrected me. It was falling into my bunk, I never actually made it?!!) also a slightly damaged arm, but where would life be without injuries.
Bring on a Burger King in about 10 – 100 days depending on the slightly dodgy skipper and tactician (who doesn’t know North from South).
Off to the heads now, for a baby wipe shower and other ‘pleasantries’; I may never be seen again.
PS: for the record you would have got this 4 days ago but Ali is still writing her comments.

Richard Cashmore
Great start to the trip as a healthy hangover from Fridays Birthday session was left aside to prep the boat! The crew surprised me with a cake on Sunday, a very welcome gesture. Other wise it has been a mixed bag, a school error of admitting past experience on the bow had me appointed as Flugga watch bowman. A very, very, very wet place to be and quite scary when the wind is up and sails need to be changed. I was ably assisted in one of these changes by a school of dolphins playing under my feet on Thursday, Magical. Sea sickness been and gone team settling in spirits are high and rising.

Ali Wheeler – (another rookie crew member training for the Global Challenge Round the world race)
Life above decks is just fabulous- beautiful weather (blue skies, great sunsets and moon rises), good winds (16-18 knots wind today) and a very wet bow for those who venture up there. Pedro has turned into chef for most of the meals, which not only means we get food on time, it also means it tastes good! Good dosages of seawater when you’re eating on the rails ensures enough salt intake and anyone helming at breakfast time gets treble portions of muesli flying at them. Life below is not quite so pleasant, a wet/heeled over bunk for three hours doesn’t mean much sleep – but so long as you ask people how they are after they have had food and the response is positive. Ask when it is 4 am at watch change when people are tired, filthy, falling over and fed up you get a very different response! Inane quizzes are keeping some of us entertained….although when it came to choosing between who I’d want to be marooned on a desert island with out of Terry Wogan, Bob Monkhouse or Bruce Forsyth I struggled to respond.
We’re enjoying seeing other boats around us and especially those behind us. The “ten girls on a boat” get a particular cheer from some of the guys every time we get nearby! As for me, - Jeu D’Esprit any crew vacancies next year give me a call!
P.S: for the record at least I’ve got a clean t shirt on



Peter Burwood (Mate)
Have got used to life again at 30° heel on a rolling, yawing, pitching boat. The Muckers on Muckle watch continue to surprise with their endurance and cheer despite the enduring conditions of a wettish boat at 4am. It is surprisingly warm as half of the crew are often still sleeping without sleeping bags, long may it continue.
I told people at work I was going on holiday, but I forgot about the stress Bill Gates continues to cause so many as this f**** laptop decides it knows best again. It may not survive the whole trip, the ocean is only outside the window!
The others on my watch are Jon, Ali and Andy. Jon is a superstar as he is fantastically happy helming all watch … we think this is a hang back from his days in the SBS, Ali is an amazing catcher for a girl and does a superb job on the bow despite waves crashing over her head, and Andy continues to intrigue with his stories and his expertise at sailing despite not knowing anything about it!!! Though he might know which way is North…
P.S. Just been woken up and been told it might be time to shave as half my pillow is stuck to my beard. Not been told to change my t-shirt yet though.. Posted by Philippe Falle at 7:09 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Day 5 - Afternoon reflections

No contact with the yachts from this morning. Puma still leads Jaguar by some 11 miles now, but Puma are behind the leader Magnum by 50 miles meaning she has extended her lead even further (boo!!). Second place at present in class is Mostly Harmless, who are 21 miles ahead of Puma, but both the Logic yachts have better boat speed than the leading 2 at the moment, so maybe they might be able to make some headway into the gap. Puma has recently tacked out to get back out into clearer waters where there are no rocks and must be in sight of another yacht in the next class up, Jeu D’Esprit. Jaguar is still on Port tack heading inshore. Hard on the heels of our 2 yachts is Sidney, a Bavaria 42 managed and skippered by a friend of Sailing Logic’s Called Nigel Tuttle. Nigel runs a sailing school like Sailing Logic does, so it is very important that he is kept looking at our yachts transoms (back of the yacht), so that we can be the first Sailing school yachts to finish.

We have had a great report from Richard Donkin today from Puma Logic, which has been sent on to some of the sailing magazines as well as the race website (and be seen before this report on our blogger). Richard worked as a freelance journalist for the Financial Times, and writes incredibly well. He sailed with Philippe when they were fellow crew members on the same yacht ‘3 Com’ on the BT Global Challenge round the world yacht race in 1996. He says in his article that doing this race is actually much harder….now there’s food for thought!

Now, talking of food, both the yachts will be tucking into a Gourmet meal this evening, kindly provided for them by Tanfield Foods of Consett, County Durham. They have a boil-in-the-bag range of main meals called ’Look what we’ve found’ and very generously have given 3 complete meals to each yacht – tonight they are dining on Mushroom Strogonoff with mash or rice, and hopefully they have made some scones or flapjack for pudding. I hope that the guys will like it as Keith Mills, The MD of Tanfield Foods is following their progress avidly!

The weather out there is getting a little better for the yachts so it is not as uncomfortable as it has been out there, but they still have some 15 knots of Northerly breeze which means that they are still having to tack across where they would like to be heading in order to make any progress. The leading yachts are reporting even less wind so lets keep our fingers crossed that by the time the Logic yachts get up over the top of Ireland the breeze has come back.

Please don’t worry when you see the estimated time of arrival on the race website saying dates like 24 or 25 of August; it is still very early days yet and we won’t really get a much more accurate estimate until they round the Shetland Islands and are finally heading South again.

For those of you who are interested in coming down to see the yachts finish, I may be able to organise a rib to go out and follow them over the line. Please let me know if you would be interested and I can then gauge numbers. Obviously I realise that because we can’t guarantee when they might finish, it may be difficult for some of you to commit. The finish line is the same as the start line, off the Royal Yacht Squadron line at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Once finished the yachts have to go into Cowes to declare and give back their tracking device. After that they are allowed to continue back to base. I would imagine that there will be celebrations both over at Cowes and back at Shamrock Quay at whatever time of the day or night they finish. This is your official warning, it might get a bit messy!

If you have any questions for me or any messages of support for the crews, please let send them through to me and I will pass them on. There may be some opportunity over the weekend for the crew to call home when they get a little nearer to land but after that there may be a few days until they hit Scotland where they are out of mobile range so I am sure that they will appreciate messages of any kind! Posted by Philippe Falle at 6:48 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Friday afternoon report from Puma

Passing Skellig Rock on the south west tip of Ireland you have to admire the way a handful of monks preserved the traditions of Christianity cut off from the Holy Roman Empire for nigh on 300 years.

No more than a dozen monks lived on the rock in beehive dwellings atop a winding stone staircase they built by hand. The sight of visiting ships must have stirred feelings of hope and anxiety – hope of some trade with the East and fear of the Vikings from the north.

Today it is a forbidding obstacle for the 27 competing yachts in the Round Britain and Ireland Race that started on Monday. A few of us among the crew of Puma Logic can identify with those monks even to the point of envy.

I would happily swap my berth with the drafty, dark but level space of those beehive huts. Each monk had his own space for prayer and contemplation. There was peace and quiet. Here, as I write, there is a body on the stairs, two by the cooker and the sink, two donning foul weather gear, two up top driving and skipper Philippe Falle in the heads taking advantage of the starboard tack. In 10 minutes we tack to port where, because of the positioning of the waste outlet, the pump doesn’t work. You have to think about these things.

But in the haste to pack we didn’t think about the 36 toilet rolls abandoned in the store room. So we are rationed to one sheet a day, supplemented by baby wipes and kitchen roll. If only all our problems were so minor – like the bucket lost overboard on the way to the start line. Even the loss of a winch handle shortly after the start was something we could live with, but we can’t afford to lose another.

Far more demoralising was losing our first mate, Sara Stanton, to sickness. Sara had been struck down by food poisoning on the day of the race. After taking medical advice, in the hope it was no more than a 24-hour bug, the skipper decided to include her.

Instead her condition deteriorated leaving no choice but to head for Penzance Bay where Sara was transferred to the Penlee lifeboat. ‘I think I made the right decision to take her. She had worked so hard for this race. I also think it was the right decision to have her taken off. It was heartbreaking to see her go. She’s the best first mate I’ve ever sailed with and it’s a big loss to the crew,’ said Philippe.

We hear a day later that Sara’s condition has stabilised in hospital. In terms of the race, the detour cost Puma Logic three hours when the team had been gaining on class leader, Magnum.

More time was lost crossing the Irish Sea when the steering cable snapped in heavy seas, forcing us to deploy the emergency tiller while the cable was repaired. The lead slipped further away from us when Magnum managed to squeeze past Skellig Rock without a tack allowing her to race away when we had clawed back some miles.

There is still plenty of time and as the wind has settled to a steady15 knots we continue to edge north up the west coast. Conditions on board are just about tolerable but half the crew has suffered from seasickness.

The worst part is the sheer discomfort of living on a racing yacht, shifting between bunks within the stripped down interior. Making meals and keeping the interior clean is literally an uphill task on a 30 degree incline bouncing on every wave. Someone – no names - thought it would be a good idea to replace our bog standard mugs with those lidded insulated beakers you can buy at service stations. This was a bad idea. A high centre of gravity means they fall over constantly and the lids are a waste of time. They might work in people carriers for a day at the races, but not out here.

Then there’s the muck and water everywhere. It’s no joke when you wake up to find your sleeping bag has drifted into the bilges or when a wave hits you on the high side just as you are about to bite into your Marmite sandwich. I have sailed in a BT Challenge yacht in the southern ocean and that was comfort personified compared to this machine.

Relatively small irritations are magnified when there is little respite from the weather – and this isn’t the usual kind of August. No balmy days here but a steady 15 knots of wind. The upside to this is fewer sail changes that would have accompanied more variable weather. Another benefit is that we seem to be on a steady beat with the promise of a fast downwind section to come after turning the corner in the Shetlands.

For light relief and a sense of perspective I have brought with me a copy of Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s The Worst Journey In The World. There’s not much time for reading, but if the baby wipes run out it’s a handy 600 pages long.

Richard Donkin, Puma Logic, Friday Posted by Philippe Falle at 5:26 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Day 5 - Morning Report

Both yachts have called in this morning and all is well onboard. Both have reported seeing lots of wildlife and schools of dolphins swimming all around them. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises too, but they are all sick of beating to windward and not being able to lay the rhumbline/track, as some of the yachts ahead have been able to. Jaguar have toilet issues, it keeps getting blocked, and they boys are blaming the girls (or this is what the Skipper says), but I am sure that the girls may have a different story! It’s quite comical to think that Puma has a loo that’s working but limited loo roll and Jaguar have a loo that isn’t working but have tons of loo roll….strange world we sail in!

This is Jaguar’s report from the yacht last night:

“We’re just passing Bull Rock heading north but into some foul tide. I guess Puma Logic is further west and has less foul tide, so pulling away. We’ll be chasing hard!

Everyone is settling down into the watches now and while some have been ill, that seems to be passing and everyone is in good spirit, especially seeing how well we’re doing. The last couple of days have been excellent weather and good progress. Food has been fantastic, so many thanks to Allie for doing such a wonderful job there. Some fantastically beautiful sunsets and moonrises have been witnessed as well as the odd dolphin. No-one complaining about no showers and the baby wipes are doing the job of keeping smells at bay!!! Everyone also took advantage of being in phone range again to contact family and friends.

As you know we broke the jib block on the jib car, but Pete managed to fix it borrowing a bolt from elsewhere on the boat! Nothing fallen down yet, so guess it wasn’t too important. Don’t think that it cost us much time as we just tacked over while repairing it. Nothing else broken, apart from a cupboard door but that’ll be fixed soon. A bit of water is coming in in various places, but nothing that can’t be sorted with a bucket and sponge. Ali broke the heads today, much to Pete’s delight! and was close to be uncharacteristically sick. Pete is working on revenge!”

On Puma there seems to be a budding romance onboard…..all due to marmite sandwiches apparently……not quite sure exactly what is going on but will try to get it out of them next time they call! Philippe is working hard to try and close the gap on Mostly Harmless and Magnum, and has definitely got the bit between his teeth.

On calling in, it is obvious both crews are working very hard but really enjoying it out there. Laughter was heard from both yachts which is great, and now that they are into the 5th day, watch systems will be in full swing, sleep deprivation sorted out and limited seasickness left. You will have no doubt noticed that on the race website there has been more retirements during the night; all the yachts and crew are fine but shows that this race is hard and not for the fainthearted! I think our guys (and girls!) are doing a fantastic job so far….very proud! Posted by Philippe Falle at 2:53 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Thursday, 10 August 2006

Day 4 - afternoon report

Jaguar Logic continues to make great progress now sailing along the Rhumb line to the next mark, Bull Rock. Most of the crew have recovered from their sea sickness and are settling down nicely into their respective watch systems. Mags has shouted at Peter (mate) for telling her how to do the washing up (I wouldn’t have liked to have been near that argument…) and they are all looking forward to Chicken Curry tonight for Dinner. Lots of high spirits onboard especially when they have been leading the class for some of the day, great going….. Pete/Pedro/Skipper has his Father looking at the website so often he can’t get any work done…I am sure a lot of you might be like that too!

Puma Logic had a tough night, lots of seasickness in the crew. They lost the steering for an hour during the night when a cable came off the quadrant, probably a throw back to having the rudder taken out on Monday just a few hours before the race start. Nothing however was broken. They headed south for an hour or so whilst it was fixed. Mother watch is busy preparing home made scones for Afternoon tea (with jam of course) and also looking forward to Chicken Curry for Dinner too. All is well now and skipper just about to take a nap. I think he might just deserve it!

Both Jaguar and Puma have taken miles off the leading yacht in class on the water, ‘Magnum’, and Philippe has definitely got the bit between his teeth now – he is going to get passed Magnum he says ‘come hell or high water’…..well I think they went through a bit of the hell part last night and they are definitely out on the water so watch this space!!

Update on Sara: she is probably sick to death of us all now; she is in good spirits and her Mum is on the way down to see her as I type. Philippe’s dad Graham popped in again to say hi this morning, and I spoke with her on the phone at lunchtime. The West Cornwall Hospital is a lovely small community hospital and I think Sara is now quite the local celebrity – she has her own room with en-suite and lots of people taking an interest in how she is doing! She was even in the Daily Telegraph today!

More news later…… Posted by Philippe Falle at 4:49 PM 1 comments Leave Comment

Day 4 - morning report

Not much news to report this morning from our yachts.



Puma have gone way west presumably searching for better conditions and more favourable wind direction. They seem to have tacked back in now, so hopefully they can start laying the track again soon, towards the next waypoint. They haven’t called in today as yet.



Meanwhile Jaguar have called in this morning to say that they have had most of the crew suffering from seasickness for the last 24 hrs but it is abating now and there is sign of life again below decks. They are currently heading due North and skipper Pete is tucking into a steaming bowl of hot porridge. They have had a few minor technical issues during the night including a broken Genoa lead car but have managed to fix that with some ingenuity. They are still smug in the knowledge that they can use as much loo roll as they want ….



Magnum continue to lead Class 3, with Mostly Harmless second. These 2 yachts are currently inshore beating around the south west tip of Ireland, and look to have been close to the infamous fastnet rock earlier today. The weather forecast for today shows that the North Westerly breeze will be with them for the next 9-12 hrs varying in strength from Force 4 to 6. The sea state is lumpy but it seems the sun is shining, which is always a bonus!



Sara is doing well in hospital. She is improving which is great news and hope to speak to her this morning. Philippe’s Dad Graham went to see her last night and managed to make her smile so that is definitely progress!



More news later….. Posted by Philippe Falle at 3:51 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Wednesday, 9 August 2006

Day 3 - Afternoon update

Jaguar Logic and Puma Logic continue to eat through the miles on this the third day of the race. After the excitement of last night, everyone seems to be just getting their respective heads down and working hard. Puma and Jaguar have been within sight of each other most of the day but now Puma had headed off in a slightly more westerly course, hoping to get more favourable winds towards the next waypoint, Bull Rock on the south west edge of Ireland. In their class they are lying 3rd and 4th, with Magnum leading and Mostly Harmless in second place. The race web site has reported another retirement this afternoon, making 3 in total, all due to mechanical or sail issues. Our HQ has not heard from the yachts this afternoon, so believe the guys to be just getting on with it. We await with anticipation Philippe’s account of last night’s emotional roller coaster as I am sure it will be gripping stuff.

An update on Sara’s situation. It is looking likely that she will be staying in hospital for a couple of days. She is comfortable and responding to treatment but specific diagnosis is not available at the moment. Her Mum is in contact and Philippe Falle (the Skipper) father is with her; he very conveniently happened to be sailing past Fowey when the drama started yesterday evening. He has sailed his yacht CAS to Falmouth and has gone on from there to the hospital. I hope to be able to update you again in the morning, and also to have had a chance to speak to Sara in person. As mentioned this morning, today’s menu on board both yachts was pasties for lunch and dehydrated Spaghetti Bologneise for dinner; I bet they can’t wait! Posted by Philippe Falle at 5:50 PM 0 comments Leave Comment

Day 3 Morning Update

After a slightly interesting night onboard Puma Logic, all is now calm and everyone onboard doing well. Philippe the skipper has called this morning and they have caught up some of the miles lost last night diverting to Penzance and the crew are trimming hard trying to eat into the lead of Magnum and Mostly Harmless, the 2 yachts leading the class at present. They have just overtaken the yacht EH01 in the last hour, which is a Beneteau 47.7 yacht crewed solely by girls who are trying to raise £100,000 for Sail 4 Cancer, the charity Sailing Logic also has a close affinity to (the charities logos are on the hull of Jaguar Logic).


Jaguar Logic are basking in the knowledge that their loo roll is not rationed and they even boast at having an employee of Andrex onboard…..not sure about this, will have to look at the crews c/v’s!


Both yachts are moving quickly in up to 30 knots of gusting breeze with a reef in the main and a no 3 headsail set. They have just gone around Bishops Rock in the Scilly Isles and are now heading up to the bottom of Ireland towards the infamous Fastnet Rock, although they do not have to go around this as a mark of the course. Onboard, they have now eaten their 2 home-made fresh evening meals and will be tucking into their first dehydrated meal this evening which is Spaghetti Bolognaise…mmmmm! Tomorrow’s delight will be Chicken Curry.



An update regarding Sara’s condition, is that she is doing well, is fast asleep, and hopefully enjoying a clean, fresh non-moving bed. I will keep you all posted as to how she is when I have some more news this afternoon. On behalf of Puma’s team and me back in the office, we cannot thank the Falmouth Coastguard and the Penzance RNLI enough for their support during last night, it is so reassuring to know that we have the best emergency services in the world! Posted by Philippe Falle at 10:57 AM 0 comments Leave Comment

Jaguar Logic update - Tuesday 08 August

In a similar vein to the blogs submitted by Jeu d'Esprit we too have had a wonderfully fulfilling personal hygiene experience. For hot shower read "baby wipe on deck", for organic turkey with new potatoes and basil cream sauce read "cup a soup", and for bacon and eggs on toast read "marmite" (ugh!) "on white" (we don't have a toaster). We wish them continued luxuries and strong racing, we're not at all bitter.

24 hours down and Muckle and Flugga watches have settled down well. Muckle Flugga is the most northerly lighthouse in the UK and we will be sailing past it sometime. Derivatives of the watch names, Muggle and Flucka, etc, are already in use. We find ourselves approaching the skipper's home territory of Plymouth, with lovely weather. Crew well, laughing and smiling with bikinis on (for those brave enough gender not an issue).

We still see some other boats around us, though are losing sight of the nearest as we pull away from them. Hoping for the wind to turn to the North as our track has taken us closer to the shore than we planned, as a Northerly would be to our advantage.

Crew watching on with "confidence"/naiveity as skipper Pedro and mate Peter mend sails on the start line and mull over instructions as to how to fit together a water maker after it stopped working. Plenty of loo roll on board, unlike our sister yacht Puma who left it on the quayside. One of Flugga watch works for Andrex and is happy to give production instructions over the VHF.

Computer is often in La La land along with the female contigent of the crew - both are likely to end up overboard unless they change their ways!

Peter Summers, Skipper Jaguar Logic Posted by Philippe Falle at 9:58 AM 0 comments Leave Comment

Tuesday, 8 August 2006

RB&I 2006 - First Day Update

Hi everyone
Well, at last we got the over the start line last night at 6pm: what an amazing roller-coaster of a few days here at Shamrock Quay. Last minute dramas, last minute preparations, always taking that little bit longer than everyone anticipates!
Well, to follow the race please look at the following website: http://sevenstarrbi.cyca.com.au/ and you should be able to follow the yachts progress throughout the race. They are lying 3rd and 4th in class at the moment and about mid-fleet altogether. The positions are updated every hour so I know that I will be glued to the internet for 2 weeks. The yachts are being tracked by a new device which is being tested for next years Fastnet Race. So hopefully we should be able to get lots of information about where the yachts are in relations to the others.

Puma have called in this morning and all is well onboard. They think they haven’t taken enough Loo roll so we will have to see how this develops…..hmmmm……I have just spotted 36 loo rolls here is the office………..They have little wind at the moment which was forecasted but it seems there should be more gradient wind building this afternoon, as well as some sea breeze as it is a gorgeous day down here on the south coast. They are currently doing 5 knots of boat speed so please pray to the wind gods for more wind as this is when the reflex yachts come into their own.

As soon as Jaguar calls in I will send another update. Please let me know if you are unable to get the information from the website as I can always duplicate it here on the updates for you all.

All the best

Allie Posted by Philippe Falle at 2:03 PM 2 comments Leave Comment

Tuesday, 1 August 2006

Team Logic Leads at Cowes

Team Logic, sailing aboard the Reflex 38 Cougar, have today taken the lead at Skandia Cowes Week. The team have had a string of great results with a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 8th place in the first four days of racing. Yesterday Cougar took line honours and a win on corrected time which is a fantastic result for the team.

Our other team, sailing aboard Jaguar Logic, took a very well deserved and superb line honours victory today beating Cougar by 30 seconds. Unfortunately, Incognito, a Benneteau 40.7 just edged ahead on corrected time. Jaguar's results have to date have been 2nd, 5th, 6th and 17th which puts them in 5th place overall. Posted by Philippe Falle at 11:02 PM 0 comments Leave Comment