25 June 2022 at 07:47
Bursledon to Cowes, United Kingdom
Our first Round the Island for some 3 years - great to have the old crew back on board and to welcome one new crew member to the group. It has to be said it did not start well, late to the start line but it did mean we had clear air and water when we did finally cross!!! As the track shows the usual tacking down the west Solent a nice tight turn at the Needles and apart from the need to tack to get round St Cats which was very annoying, a pretty straight forward leg to that point. Once round St Cats we got ourselves in clear water to hoist the kite and thankfully pulled back a few places I think. Approaching Bembridge ledge always a pinch point there looked to be some nasty clouds both to the north and south of us so I elected to get the chute down before the turn at Bembridge. Pretty glad I did when the squally stuff came in - there were spinnakers flying free from the top of masts and plenty of hour glass situations going on. Another trouble free leg although the wind did start to die off somewhat which made it slow. Not sure what time we finished but it was a thoroughly enjoyable race and a great crack as always with this motley crew - see you all next year 😊




