June 13 to 21, 2017 - Sailing Round Ireland
After a Tuesday overnight delivery to Dun Laogharie, in which a seal on the port light window failed, a good part of Wednesday morning pre-D2D race was filled with repairs to ensure water would not gush into the boat whenever we were on a starboard tack. Big thanks to master window dresser Stu. More unwelcome excitement when in familiarizing with the inner forestay Ian was unable to remove the elongated shackle for repositioning the stay to the foredeck. Quick work with a hacksaw minutes before departing for the start line nearly gave this skipper heart palpitations.
AJ Wanderlust started the D2D race under full main and a reefed headsail, principally because the start line was "busy" and with us sailing as a double handed team, we needed visibility around/under the head sail. Proceeding south, while most of the fleet went inshore, AJ Wanderlust stayed out. In retrospect, this probably was not the best tactical move, however its intentions were good as it meant less tacking and less being subject to squally inshore winds, all of which would mean more rest for a short handed crew. In later conversations at Dingle, we heard Wednesday night was atrocious at sea. We admitted difficulty recovering lasagna from oven but nothing spectacular in terms of sea state or wind.
Thursday morning dawned with continued big seas and winds. But a beautiful morning to be sailing. :-) Given an impending forecast of even stronger winds, Ian set about rigging the inner forestay so we would be able to set a heavy weather jib. We managed to do this while still sailing best possible course, using the high side effectively. In the end, we really did not need the heavy weather jib. We noticed ourselves having lost about 5 to 8 miles distance on competitors in the daylight hours of Thursday.
Happily we were able to recover some of this distance on Friday, especially as we neared Fastnet Rock Lighthouse. AJ Wanderlust could not have had a more glorious rounding of Fastnet Lighthouse. Winds were lightening, and the sun was setting in a spectacular flaming orange display. Heading away from Fastnet, we were able to bear away a bit to Mizen Head. And then, as happens in most offshore races, the wind died. I awoke Ian as Mizen Head approached, not sure if we needed fenders, an anchor or wind, but thinking it best if both were on deck to inch past this headland. Next up, the Bull, the Calf and the Gull. No wind, tide and big seas. AJ Wanderlust struggled past as best a 13 tonne boat can in light breeze. We watched the chartplotter helplessly as many of our competitor boats escaped and sailed away.
Saturday morning now, finally clear of the Bull, Calf and Gull, we sail toward the Skelligs in a light to moderate breeze, anxious for the moment we can pop the spinnaker and fly. We round Skellig and set the kite. Being an assymetric, we sail angles for best speed. It is a beautiful sun filled day. I mention outloud what a shame it is to be getting in mid-day to Dingle, maybe we should just cross the line and keep sailing. Ian's expression tells me I best quickly say not to worry, just joking.
Starting at 7 pm on Wednesday night, AJ Wanderlust crossed the finish line in Dingle on Saturday at 1:06 pm and 34 seconds. After two days, eighteen hours, 6 minutes and 34 seconds of racing. AJ Wanderlust crossed the finish in Dingle in great style, flying her colourful spinnaker. :-) We had sailed 363 miles to complete the course. Our final overall IRC position was 15th, which sounds impressive considering 43 starters, however much was down to competitor retirements.
An excellent greeting in Dingle both by the horn of the finisher, as well as the lovely marina and race committee folks who met us on the pontoon to catch lines and hand over a case of beer from Dingle Brewery. Great night at the prize giving, and the best night's sleep. Actually oversleep, as I never quite got my alarms set.
Sunday, 11 am and we are about to set sail again, after 22 hours in port. Stu makes a rapid repair to the table which has sheared its screws in the boisterous seas. Ian does the shopping for the delivery trip home. It is a glorious day in Ireland with brilliant sunshine sparkling on the green island. We head north and hug the coast, as we do for the better part of the next three days. Unfortunately, most of the delivery home is without wind. We are only able to sail about 15 hours in total. At approximately 12:30 pm on Wednesday, 21 June, we sail into Douglas Harbour. AJ Wanderlust has made her first circumnavigation of Ireland. She is back to IOM with 933 nautical miles more of experience under her keel.
Many and great thanks to awesome crew mates Ian and Stu.
