Now we've really done it
Lady Corinne
iain and gaynor macalister
Fri 16 Apr 2010 03:21
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Not content with just going to the ball, The old
Slapper is now taking part in the Antigua Classics race series. We
are actually going to be racing around the marks in the close, though I hope not
too close, company of the likes of Valsheda, Adele and Windrose to mention just
a few of the better known names. These boats are true legends of classic boat
racing and I'm already starting to feel a slight dryness in the back of my
throat as I realise the enormity of what I have just let us in for. You see I
now have this mental picture etched in my mind of us arriving at one of the
marks we have to go around in this salubrious company, you see they set us off
in four groups and we're in the first one. The likes of Valsheda, who is 130
feet long, are released last and then they come up through the fleet at an
awesome pace, with their numerous crew all dressed in their corporate
outfits. Well if we just happen to be at a mark when she catches up with us I
just hope we don't shame ourselves. But seriously it will be great fun and a
huge privilege to be in it and I feel LadyC deserves to have a bit of a treat
after looking after us so well. Being in the company of some of the most
prestigious classic racing yachts ever built will, I'm sure make her feel very
special indeed. It's still raining, raining, raining here and I really
don't think it's ever going to stop. We arrived in Falmouth harbour Antigua
yesterday after a fairly lumpy and wet sail from Guadeloupe and we anchored in
Freeman's bay. This morning we went to check in through customs and on the way I
took a trip up to the back of the marina to dump the rubbish. As I walked up to
the bins the wind was howling the rain was pouring down and the leaves were
falling off the trees. If it wasn't for the fact that I was in shorts and T
shirt and perspiring slightly I could have been back in the UK on a November
day.
Update Thursday 15th April
Gaynor and I spent half a day in incredible heat
getting LadyC ready for the big event and yesterday afternoon we brought her
round to Falmouth harbour. On arrival we were told that we could go either
bow or stern to right slap bang in front of the Antigua Yacht Club. It's a
two storey building and everyone sits out on the upstairs terrace
overlooking the Marina. The space we had to get into was very tight and we
choose to drop the anchor and take a long stern line ashore so we could winch
ourselves in, stern to, and I'm very pleased to report that it all went
well. Last night was the welcome party which involved a band and barbecue
on the lawn in front of the club and for this most prestigious event LadyC was
the backdrop, sitting right at the waters edge the first boat to be seen and she
didn't disappoint. Looking every bit a classic yacht she appeared to be so
proud and honored to be moored there, lit up, right in front of
everyone and as close to the action as you could possibly get. In spite of being
on the same pontoon as Valsheda,Ambrose, Rebecca and Astor she got
plenty of attention and lots of very positive comments. As Gaynor and
I have never raced before we had enquired about taking on some crew so, at least
half of us would have race experience, and we were told that it wouldn't be any
problem to find some. It's a very small world and as we sat in a bar
enjoying a beer and trying to work out what on earth made us commit to this
crazy plan, I looked up and saw Mike Frith, the marine artist from Chichester
who sails his yacht Blue Eagle from Itchenor. He is out here with his
girlfriend Sandy and together with another couple from the UK we now have a full
crew of 6.
Newsflash 1800 hrs
We have just won 2nd place in the privately
maintained Vintage class of the Concours de Elegance and we are over the moon,
it's such a huge event and the number and quality of boats is very
impressive, We haven't raced yet but who knows, with a favorable rating
watch out Valsheda here comes LadyC.
Hasta El final de las corridas
LadtC and her crew, with a very nice
plaque.
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