Happy days all over,what a weekend.The winds for the first 26 hours were horriable speeds of 22 miles constant.First night was a pain, waves and the dreaded cold.

Much damage on my poor huntress,the mast gate broke and with the vibration caused by the winds the mast step cracked and i has a constant leak in the bottom of my boat.last 15 hours was sail and bail ! wind chill was awful.i recall asking God please if i am to go over please not in the dark of the night.True to form it happened five times but during day time.Malahide sailing club on the estuary were wonderful and helped pull me ashore to fix what i could .During these moments battered tired cold,i just wanted to give up and not go back out there.The lady who came over to me with a offer of a hot tea and roll was a angel,the words of support lifted my spirits and i was away boat and i only just holding together.Thank God the winds had died down and the sun was very welcomed.

Dewey said he could beat me,well he didnt,youth over aged ! as i grow older i grow bolder.Must say Dewey a wonderful sailor and such passion for someone so young.It was a honour to go head to head with him.

A very special thanks to a beautiful woman from Italy who took a shine to me a week before the challenge ,her hug on the launch really was powerful and very welcomed.I had hoped to go another night and set a new record but the rescue cover was pulled at 48 hours so we had no option but to head back and call it a day.perhaps this was best thing to happen God only knows i would haved lived out there if needed.

Would i do this again why yes but just not for awhile ! rob

Back to News