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Ongoing renovation
In the previous episode, the question of energy was raised . I had to change the on-board batteries. In addition to the 75 AH engine battery, I opted for 2x220 AH gel batteries and a 150 W solar panel. The latter is mounted on the hood, with enough wiring to move it to one side or the other, depending on the need to recharge the batteries during a long trip that would leave the hood in the shade. In this respect, I'd like to praise the quality of the discussions I had with Arnaud from AD Le Havre and the whole team for the conditions of their support.
As far as deck fittings were concerned, I still had to install a bowsprit to carry the large A2. On the advice of Basile Geron of LH Yacht Services, I opted for a Facnor with a Selden davit ring. The fit is perfect, and the large spinnaker can be carried upwind if the wind is very light.
Two solid team members
I finally meet my crew, Jeanne Bourse and Baptiste Madic, on the evening of the departure for the delivery trip from Le Havre to La Trinité to take part in the La Trinité-Cowes and Cowes-Dinard regattas.
This delivery trip took place over 4 days, with a wide range of weather conditions, from upwind conditions in dull conditions to typical Mediterranean calm. A perfect time to get to know the new crew members and let them discover the boat.
Two qualitative races
After a few days' rest in La Trinité, the bowsprit, the last elements of which arrived on the eve of the start, is fitted. Then it's time for the final technical and safety checks, and to clear the hull of all seaweed.
Seabird x NITBY will set off with the horde of yachts for the Fastnet qualifier, with two races in quick succession and not even 12 hours' rest in between for the crew, who we'll discover are being put through their paces both physically and emotionally.
A teammate knocked out!
Indeed, a few hours after leaving La Trinité in a strong headwind and increasingly rough seas, Jeanne was thrown against a bulkhead on the boat. SNSM lifeguard Baptiste was immediately concerned about her condition, detecting signs of what could be a concussion.
I'm torn between giving up the race for which we've invested so much energy and solicited so many partners, or continuing with my head spinning in anticipation of Jeanne's deteriorating condition.
After an hour's observation, I validate Baptiste's proposal to call the race doctor. The symptoms are "positive concussion". We're between Belle-Île and Groix. While we contact the CROSS, I slow the boat down and approach the coast, to shelter us from the wind and swell. The SNS174, the Groix dinghy, is mobilized. Jeanne is about to be evacuated.
Dilemma: to continue or not?
Once the decision has been taken to disembark Jeanne, the question of whether or not to continue the regatta comes into play. Abandoning the race would mean saying goodbye to Fastnet. Baptiste and I consult each other. We're ready to continue once Jeanne is safe, if the race committee agrees. We talk to Yves Le Blevec, the race director, who gives us the go-ahead.
It's quite special to deal with these two parallel anxieties: Jeanne's concussion and the abandonment of the race. You couldn't call it a relief at the time. I'd say a weight was lifted when the race committee agreed to keep us in the race, but obviously we're still hanging on Jeanne's accident, the evolution of her condition and the imminence of her disembarkation.
The efficiency of the SNSM
I'd like to take this opportunity to salute the incredible efficiency of the French rescue services. Between the call to CROSS and the arrival of the SNS launch, it took just over an hour. It's impressive to be faced with such a situation. The brain then sorts out the emergencies that are manageable and those that are not.
Jeanne is now in good hands. She will be hospitalized an hour later and will remain in hospital for observation for 48 hours. Baptiste and I get back into the race, 4 hours behind the competitors who have gone with the current towards the Raz de Sein. We know we'll be at the back of the pack, but resilience and tenacity are at the heart of the Seabird project's values.
An unusual finish
We made it to the finish in contrasting conditions, with gusty upwind sailing at 30 knots and heavy head seas for 30 hours, followed by near-total calm in the English Channel. We docked in Cowes an hour after the line had closed, but the conditions of our race prompted the organizers to validate our course.
Jeanne, whose temperament is decidedly in tune with the on-board philosophy, joins us that evening in Cowes. Time for a good meal and a bit of sleep, and we're off again for Cowes-Dinard.
Cowes-Dinard three-way again
Seabird made an excellent exit from the Solent, overtaking bigger rivals and making excellent progress. Until... the wind dropped, completely. Just outside the Solent. It must be 2pm, we've barely been gone an hour, and I'll be taking photos of the sunset over the English coast in the evening from the same spot. It's not hard, it's unbearable!
Then the wind returned as night fell. Under spinnaker, Seabird starts again and I'll keep the images of that night at the helm for a long time, with the moon caught between the mast and the spinnaker. We finish bottom of the ranking, 34th out of 42, but we're all within a handkerchief of each other, which eases the sourness a little.
Qualified for the Fastnet
In any case, we've qualified for the Fastnet, the major objective of this adventure, and I'm writing these lines from Seabird moored in Cherbourg, interrupted by enthusiastic visitors happy to see a gleaming Nicholson33 taking the start of this 100th edition!
There is still some work to be done before she reaches the starting line. The Solent, which didn't fare so well on the La Trinité-Cowes crossing, is now in the hands of the Cherbourg sailmaker, who has kindly freed up some time to repair it for the upcoming race. We welcome an extra member to the crew, Corentin Cozanet, who will be the mediaman for the event!
Seabird is one of the smallest and oldest boats taking part this year, celebrating its 50th birthday for the Fastnet centenary. We'll be there at the start: it's a sure bet!
