Of the three Contessa 32s that took part in this year’s Mailasail Azores and back (AZAB) race, Katisha and her motley crew had to contend with the most minimal preparation time.
Skipper and owner James Moore and I have raced two handed aboard Katisha in many offshore races. The boat is well set up for it and, with thousands of miles sailed together, so are we. We achieved little sailing together before the start, however, and James had to single hand from Plymouth to Falmouth due to my work commitments, but it didn’t matter. We knew the boat and ourselves intimately in the offshore environment. A tried-and-trusted team of three.
A mediocre start in light airs wasn’t very exciting but we soon found ourselves level with Govert in Saphier, and Stuart and Kris in Spirit of Taranto. The three Contessas remained in a line for some time and it became apparent that we were all similarly matched. This was going to be a close race.
As we settled into the pattern of the first few days we found the weather was far from predictable and we found ourselves bouncing between light airs and full gales almost daily.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Yachting Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Yachting Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Orford Sailing Club celebrates 100 years
Situated in arguably one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages and under the watchful eye of its medieval castle and church, Orford SailingClub celebrates its centenary in 2024.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF AIS IN THE NIGHT-TIME
When container vessels mysteriously started keeping clear of Peter Webb's yacht, it seemed odd, but the answer to their unusual behaviour didn't emerge until they were safely in harbour
A sea change in lifejacket design
Mustang Survival introduces ils new ISO approved Atlas 190
Are you brave enough to have a go?
The flexing of spring’s muscles calls for a dusting down of my jobs list.
Translated 9 retires from OGR with hull damage
Translated 9, one of the leading yachts in the Ocean Globe Race (OGR), has been forced to retire from the round-the-world race with hull damage and has diverted to Madeira.
Tributes paid to boatbuilder lain Oughtred
Tributes have flowed in for renowned boatbuilder and designer Iain Oughtred who died on the Isle of Skye in February, aged 84.
Russia suspected of 63-hour attack on GPS signals in the Baltic region
Russia is suspected of launching a 63-hour-long attack on GPS signals in the Baltic region, starting on 31 March, Easter Sunday, in a move that affected more than 1,600 passenger planes, as well as other GPS users.
TECHNICAL KETCH TO SCHOONER
Roger Hughes explains why he swapped his masts to create an impressive brigantine square-rigger
TECHNICAL CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROPELLER
A change of propeller can dramatically improve a yacht's performance while saving money on fuel. Sam Fortescue reports on the latest options
10 BEST HIDDEN SCOTTISH ANCHORAGES
The sheer beauty of the Western Isles draws many yachtsmen, but cruising on the west coast of Scotland has always been for the brave.