Guest Blogger Matt Maples: After the Finish
Posted by Erin on July 12, 2011
55.42.6′N x 5.18.1′W – Loch Ranza, Isle of Arran, Scotland
The race is finished and early at that. Our sails crossed the line at 13:23 (1:23pm) on the 5th. Columbia’s Gloria, our closest, constant competitor for the race, trailed us by a mere 5 minutes. We expect a good placement in the race, but the results will have to wait until the
official announcements in Greenock. I was surprised to see us finish ahead of Gloria, as I distinctly remember us scrambling to set our studding sails as she closed in behind us, looming larger every time I glanced backwards. She passed us just as we set our third and final studding sail but was unable to continue to plow ahead of us. Our extra sails probably gave us just enough speed to keep up with (and eventually overtake) the much larger Gloria.
The lax wind of the 3rd and 4th gave way to a strong, steady, and fresh breeze. We knew this race to Scotland via the Irish Sea would not last long when we began to surge ahead at 9-10 knots with the wind behind our ears and the sea at our backs!
Click here to continue reading Matt’s adventures in Scotland
