There was a quiet start to the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race on Sunday (7th August) with the wind blowing at just 4 to 5 knots.
Sailing Eastward from Cowes to Ryde, there was certainly a slow start and – heading around the forts at Bembridge and onward to St. Catherine’s – the first of the boats did not reach this point until late afternoon/early evening.
Cowes sailor Shirley Robertson OBE is tackling this race aboard the Sun fast 3300 Rockit along with Dee Caffari MBE; they are entered in the two-handed class. Last season, both had entered several races operating as 2-handed entries, but both their respective sailing partners chose to sail elsewhere this year. However, a mutual friend suggested that Shirley and Dee team up and race as a duo.
In the 2014 edition of this race, Cowes resident Richard Palmer and freelance yachting journalist Rupert Holmes led their respective classes, and as they raced their rivalry developed into a firm friendship. Now the two sailors are co-skippering Jangada. This is the name of a traditional Brazilian fishing craft. Richard was born in Brazil and lived in Recife for 2 years before his British parents returned home, so naming his boat Jangada reminds him of his birthplace. Rupert said that he was looking forward to the race – quite a change from working in the Cowes Week Press Office and writing all the daily updates.
Joining Rockit and Jangada for the race were 28 other vessels of various sizes and in various classes. Other local sailors included Brian Thompson on Tquila a Class40. Brian is no stranger to the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. In 2014, he and the crew of Artemis-Team Endeavour smashed Round Britain and Ireland record in the IMOCA category (Elapsed time of 5 days, 14 hrs, 00 mins and 54 secs). There is no chance of a fast record for Brian or anyone this year – perhaps a record for the slowest race!
Another local is Yarmouth-based Sam White, who is sailing on Mzungu! (double-handed class) with Sam North. The two Sams have been racing together since 2020. RNLI Crewman Sam White is used to offshore racing having completed 5 RORC Rolex Fastnet races.
Following a slow passage for all teams, it was not until Monday/Tuesday that the coast of Ireland was reached, with by now Pip Hare (winner of Cowes Week Women’s Day Trophy) on her IMOCA 60 Medallia in the lead. Some boats managed to pick up breezes, some experiencing up to 10 knots, but it is going to be a long race with the problem for some crews of: “will the food last?”
