Hondarribia – Wednesday, June 17
The Race Officer team for the finish of the Biscay Challenge, together with Artist in Residence, Fiona Graham, left Stansted Airport yesterday in glorious warm sunshine, only to arrive in Biarritz to find – you’ve guessed it – rain and grey overcast skies.
Not at all what was on the agenda and a letter of complaint has already been sent to the management! Biarritz is the closest airport to Hondarribia.
Having said that, the competitors would not have had a very easy time setting off from the Solent, quickly sailing into light airs and thick fog, which could not have been pleasant.
However, today the weather here looks like redeeming itself. The cloud base has lifted, the air temperature is already warm at 09.00 and it looks as though it is going to be a glorious day. There is only one problem. There is no WIND which is pretty fundamental as far as yacht racing is concerned!
Hondarribia is not the only place without wind: these light airs seem to be hanging over Biscay, right up to Ushant.
Not surprisingly, these conditions have taken a toll on our competitors, particularly in Class 2 and so far we have had 8 retirees, most of whom had spent 24 hours drifting forwards, and backwards, around Ushant. Details of those boats that have advised us of their retirement are listed on this website.
We are trying to make contact with those boats that have not been in contact with us to ascertain what their position is and what their intentions are. We will update this site as soon as we hear anything from them.
As far as Class 1 and the Multihulls are concerned, we have a couple of retirements, but the majority rounded Ushant quite easily and are now making their way across Biscay with following winds, albeit still very light. In fact, we are expecting our first arrivals here some time today, which will be exciting for us.
We want to greet every finisher on their pontoon, with a couple of bottles of cold beer – and a smile, irrespective of their time of arrival. We hope that this will endorse the RSYC’s continued attitude towards making sure that our competitors’ enjoyment comes first in our priorities.
Talking of hospitality, our Assistant Race Director, Ander Echabe, has been doing a sterling job here in Hondarribia. He has developed strong relationships, not only with the marina here, but also the local Sailing Club, who have already been incredibly generous with their hospitality. Not only are they providing a free Basque barbecue for all our competitors on Thursday evening, but have offered their clubhouse as our Race Office 24 hours a days – and provide the beers for our finishers!
I am only thankful that I thought of getting one of our Club burgees framed to present to them. It looks as though that is going to be one of the best investments we have made.
Through the Sailing Club, Ander has also arranged a Reception for our competitors, hosted by the local Mayor in his historic Town Hall in the old town on Friday morning. This should be a high light for those doughty crews who make the finish.
Enough for one day! More tomorrow.
Roger Townsend
Hon Race Director
