Send Hannah Sailing

As well as the excellent training through Clipper - I have been getting out on the water as much as possible to train for the race next year.  Last weekend I took part in the Junior Offshore Group race from Cowes to Weymouth - I will readily admit that this isn't as offshore as say... China to West Coast USA, but it's all good experience!

The race started well, we had a fantastic run down the Solent to the Needles under spinnaker.  I was taking the role of foredeck in this race - so mainly running around the bow holding a spinnaker pole above my head and generally trying not to rip any sails!

Unfortunately about 5 hours in - the fog descended and visibility dropped to under 100m.  I could suddenly see how alone the fog could make you feel - we were within a mile of a fleet of over 20 yachts and couldn't see a single one.  We quickly found the fog horn and began to get an idea of where there were boats near to us.  Watching yachts silently appear in the fog made me realise how the stories about ghost ships come about...

We made it safely into Weymouth and went out for some well earned beer and food (you can't work hard all the time!)  We were up at 5am to catch the tide back to Southampton - normally a time I resent being awake - although this is something I accept need to get used to!

Have a look at the photos I took below and you will see why I didn't mind so much!

Thank you to Paul and the crew on Imperator for having me onboard!