Today marked Day 4 of the Antigua Sailing Week, the lay-day on May 1st had been a welcome break to recharge the batteries and it was well that we did so as we faced our first real challenge to see how we worked in crisis management. The first problem was a broken starter motor on the port engine of the catamaran the day before; the broken part was off in the shop being repaired and we were down to a single engine (plus our sails as a backup) but Hans mastered the de-docking and mooring pickup manoeuvre masterfully and small hurdle had been successfully taken when a real problem occurred. As we were finishing the day's first races the IMOCA Open 60 Ambersail came too close to us and managed to entangle themselves on our mooring. The water was quite clear and I could see that the line had wrapped once around their deep torpedo keel and that we weren't going to separate without us dropping our line. Hans got the engine started and I found myself at the bow with our biggest fender, thinking to myself “This isn't going to help much...”, considering I had 2 hulls which were now only feet from the entangled Ambersail. Hans and I agreed that we'd cast off the mooring but his challenge was to somehow remain on station in order to make the finish a fair one for the boats arriving - in a big gaggle, of course.
We managed to keep on station and pick up the mooring with help from a photographer's dinghy after Ambersail had freed herself with the help of a crew member jumping into the water with a mask. And nary a protest from the finishers although we did protest Ambersail but later discussion of the rules showed that the mooring line isn't part of the course and since they hadn't touched us they were under no compulsion to do a 720° turn before continuing racing.
Power boat preparing to drop the mark. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Committee powerboat and mark
The mooring used for the committee boat at the races. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Our mooring at the start/finish line
About to motor off and set the start mark. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Powering up to set the mark
Steve counting down to the time check on the VHF as everyone sets their watches. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Steve calling the time check
Waiting to get the command to motor off and drag the mark with sufficient chain and scope to set it firmly. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Ready to set the start line
Our mooring spot for the day. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Committee Boat Bouy
Steve using his high-tech tape to measure the wind direction while James and Jane write down the time and direction for the official files. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Measuring the day's winds
Alfred in the process of making a determination and decision as to where the mark is to be put. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Alfred deciding upon where to set the mark
Committee work - wind checks [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Committee work - wind checks
Boats at our start and the distant start doing their rounds prior to starting. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Sails on the horizon
The winds this day were rather steady in speed but variable in their direction. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]James and Alfred comparing notes
A collegial atmosphere aboard [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]A collegial atmosphere aboard
Alfred, our race officer aboard, talking with the powerboat which is setting our starting mark. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Alfred calling to the mark setter
James and Hans discussing tactics [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]James and Hans discussing tactics
Cary with binoculars prior to the race begin to identify the competitors and make sure that all are present for the start. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Cary identifying starters
This is race course #3 [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]This is race course #3
Setting up for the correct line during the upcoming start, Paul Wyeth the photographer is at the beginning of a long day. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Paul Wyeth
Ensuring that the lists and the boats at the start match up. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Making sure the lists are in order
The tripod, sans camera, next to the finish mark (a stay) on the committee boat. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Tripod and the finish line
Counting down the minutes to starting [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Counting down the minutes to starting
Final discussions prior to starting [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Final discussions prior to starting
Jane was our scrivener aboard, taking copious notes of just about every action or measurement we took aboard, from wind speed to protest flags to finishes. Not an easy job at all, particularly when the seas were up. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Jane taking a break
James blowing the whistle to mark the official finish times. He uses the shroud as the mark on the boat and the remote yellow buoy as the other side of the finish line. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]James calling the finishes
Warming up before the start [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Warming up before the start
Prior to the race, many boats pass the committee boat in order to be identified. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Sailing past the committe boat
As the horn blows, all the boats are behind the line, but one is rather close while the others are a bit more conservative. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Start of the race seen from the line
All boats started behind the line and are off on their 2-hour course. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Seconds after the start
Boats starting close together [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Boats starting close together
Some of the crews and spectators waiting for the prizegiving ceremonies for the day's races. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Waiting for the upcoming prizegiving
Paul Wyeth zipping about. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Paul Wyeth
Professional photographers such as Paul Wyeth cover the event from dinghies - trying to capture that elusive perfect shot. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Catching that perfect moment
James blowing the finishing whistle as the racer celebrate their good finish. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Jubilant racers finishing
Southern Child approaching the finish line as Cary takes note and James prepare to signal the finishing time with a whistle. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Southern Child
Spirit [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Spirit
Starry Night [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Starry Night
Starry Night [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Starry Night
Sumatra [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Sumatra
High Tension [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]High Tension
High Tension [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]High Tension
Venomous [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Venomous
Venomous [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Venomous
Venomous [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Venomous
Venomous [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Venomous
Venomous [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Venomous
Venomous [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Venomous
Maximizer coming to the finish line. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Maximizer
Maximizer coming to the finish line. [17°0'33.36"N 61°48'17.55"W ]Maximizer
SV-Zanshin
