Jester Challenge

CYC members Tony Head and John Gozzard both successfully finished the Jester Challenge

Tony Head in TRIPLE VENTURE (28ft Twister class) arrived safely at Pria da Vitoria, Terceira, Azores at 0835UTC on 13 June in 6th place (out of 42 starters) in the Jester Azores Callenge 2008, with 1369 miles logged to cover the great circle distance of 1200 miles.

Conditions varied from 2 x F7 blows to sloppy F1 and every sail in the wardrobe was used from the storm jib to spinnaker. Little was seen of ships or other competitors though SSB contact was maintained with PIPPIN and Richard Bowman in AQUARELLE back at Cargreen.

Tony was suprised to arrive ahead of many bigger and potentially faster yachts but having John Gozzard in PIPPIN determinedly sailed only 20-40 miles astern throughout spured him on to race rather than cruise. 6-hourly positions were reported by the use of a SPOT satellite messenger.

Tony will now enjoy the warm hospitallity and warm sun of the island of Terceira for a few more days before heading back to the UK, in loose formation with PIPPIN.

John Gozzard in PIPPIN (26ft twin keel Westerly Griffon) arrived at 1528UTC on 13 June in 8th place (out of 42 starters) in the Jester Azores Challenge 2008, a remarkable effort in the first twin keel boat to finish and beating many bigger and potentially faster yachts. John was determined to try and catch TRIPLE VENTURE and almost succeeded; both boats treated the event as a real race and tried very hard.

John reports that his home made vane selfsteering gear worked well for much of the passage but needs some more development to be effective under all conditions. John is now enjoying the apres-sail get togethers amongst the Jester skippers, and will be setting off for the UK in about 5 days time.