Imitation Octopus

They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery; my efforts over the past few days to grow four pairs of arms would have any Octopus thinking I was trying to join their species. But why would I need four pairs of arms? To sail a Figaro, of course!

The Figaro is fantastic fun to sail, and so it was all go this week to get as much time on the water as possible. Sailing double-handed with Robin, in preparation for the Myth of Malham race at the weekend (230nm, starting off Cowes, to Eddystone Lighthouse,and back again), we mostly focused on gybing, kite drops and sail changes. Off the water the search was on for some bullet proof sails, the correct sized battens, and enough stodge to keep Robin's hunger at bay. In the evenings we focused on familiarizing ourselves with Adrena (navigation & routing software) & keeping an eye on the forecast.


Besides enjoying the sailing, I also had good news early in the week, having qualified as a Speech & Language Therapist, while celebrating my birthday on Thursday with some great birthday cake provided by the team at OC. I also got a go on a Flying Figaro; swinging around on the hoist as the boat got lifted out of the water for a clean gave me a good view of East Cowes!

 

We decided not to race the Myth of Malham in the end; with a SW breeze gusting 50 knots of Hurst at the start, there was more to lose than to gain. Out on the RIB, we saw the only Figaro to go (RARE) launching off and slamming back down into the waves, retiring within minutes of the gun...so perhaps it was the best decision! We made the most of the weekend, sailing an extended course around the Isle of Wight. The trip gave us some great upwind sailing, which I am particularly fond of for some reason, and some nice reaching legs were we got zooming along. 



Arriving back in the early hours of Sunday, it wasn't particularly warm on the bunk in quite literally wet weather gear; so I camped out near the kettle in a little huddle!