Michael Klim

late afternoon sail winds Northerly 10 - 15kt, sunshine. great to finally get the main sail back up!

2026-06-21 Helen Michael Tess Mark I arrived onboard just after 11:00 with the other crew already in the cockpit. We agreed to have a hot drink before leaving the mooring. We followed Soulmate out of the New Harbour and started to sail towards the Skerries until we had a Helen HOB (hat over board) moment which accounts for the deviation on the track! After several attempts we managed to capture the cap and returned to our northerly course towards the Skerries. With the moderate NE winds we made an average of 8.5kt and arrived at the Skerries too early. We hove to and drifted north of The Skerries while we had lunch. In 20 minutes of steady drifting the tide took us well to the East of The Skerries and had to battle against the currents to get round the West Coast of The Skerries before turning on a broad reach to head for Clipera. After several attempts we managed to capture the cap and returned to a northerly course towards the Skerries. With the moderate NE winds we made an average of 8.5kt and arrived at the Skerries too early. We hove to and drifted north of The Skerries while we had lunch. In 20 minutes of steady drifting the tide took us well to the East of The Skerries and had to battle against the currents to get round the West Coast of The Skerries before turning on a broad reach to head for Clipera. As there were no ferry movements due we headed directly for the end of the breakwater having informed Port Control of our intentions and observations of the James Joyce, still 15 minutes from Point Victor. Back on our mooring for 16:00hrs we cleared up and waited for the launch to come alongside to take us to the groyne.

For preparation for racing on board for 17:15 with Eric. Remainder of the crew arrived in good time so we left the mooring before 18:00 to familiarise the crew, sailing off on the main. At the 5 minute warning we unfurled the jib carefully planning our approach to the start line. Flair crossed the start line about 7 seconds late on the downwind leg but soon was leading the field out of the New Harbour. Race officer Dawn had set course 1 which gave us a long downwind leg around the end of the breakwater then a tight reach to Penrhos, a broad reach to Clipera and a windward leg back to the finish. On the leg from Penrhos we were informed that the James Joyce ferry would be departing in 15 minutes and the Stenna ferry was inbound shortly after. We notified Port Control of our intention to cross the TSZ before the ferry movements and were given clearance. A great evening sail with FlairIV first over the line by a long way!