We finally finished knowing that a 10th place would the best we could achieve in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2013. We came closer indeed to Mefisto, but never less than 3,5 Nm whereas we had to finish ahead of them based upon our TCC's. When we finished we were recorded as 10th but two hours later we discovered that Breeze managed to pass on our corrected time by just 28 seconds. Our final place became therefore 11th.

What we did not know is that we did win the S&S Trophy. I believe that we had no more than 5 S&S design boats in this race. The last time we received this price was in 2005. The years thereafter it was steadily won by the beautifull Spanish or Israelian (?) S&S Desperado. After I collected this somewhat overrated trophy on the podium, I asked the Rolex Director if he did not think that this price was at least worth a very mall Rolex, even a tiny one without diamonds or other brilliants. He smiled and said that I should perhaps look better into the trophy itself. You will understand the rest. I never looked.

Though this was oine of Winsome's less succesfull Rolex Fastnet Races, we have had no remorse feelings on anything in this race. The waves in combination with not sufficient wind, made it impossible to keep pace with the modern much lighter boats, especially with their JPK's 10.10. We have tried to find some consolation in the fact that we have kept 75 boats behind us.

In the meantime Boj and Peter Morton announced their intention to participate in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2015. That is very good news in an early stage. Last but not least I wish to make mention of the fact that our loyal supporter Amanda Oliver awaited us in Plymouth, acting again as a volunteer to RORC. Still we have not met her children Andrew and Isabella, but that may happen before Andrew will get his driving licence.

We started to motor back from Plymouth to Cowes and only after we passed Bill of Portland, we set our sails and killed the engine. It took us 98,5 hours. It took David O. May nearly 104 hours in 1971 with a 13th place in IRC-4 Class. Mind you in that time and age Winsome was one of the larger boats in the fleet.

I thank Leen, Paul, Boj, Reima, Floris and Joost N for crewing Winsome this race in an enthousiastic and skilfull way.

ps we saw a whale!

Harry Heijst

Dear Louai

Whilst on our way to that rocky outcrop off the SW coast

of the former Imperial conquest in what one can only be described as a

double handed frenzy, the apparent delirium or my inability to understand

the accent of my co skipper has led me to attempt communication elsewhere.

Given the lack of the usual supporting crew on the rail that would

ordinarily regale me with stories of their beer tent shenanigans, I have

discovered an intelligent mammal that responds to my local New Zealand

tribal form of communication, based somewhat on my facial tick but

predominately on the clicking sound made when the tongue moves across the

roof of the mouth.

I have successfully, obviously between trimming sails,

driving like a demon, sail changes, boat dodging not dissimilar to driving

the wrong way down the M1 at full throttle in thick fog, preparing Ragu

that I think he means "To die for" but came out more like "tea dea fur",

and making this craft slip through the water like an AC72 on steroids,

made a new friend, he has since told me his name was Francois.

Having battled out West of the Scillies, and on North post

shift, Francois and I skipped along and chatted for hours about family,

friends and even the occasional lighthearted quip about our respective

girlfriends Zoe and Delphine, my new friend Francois, suddenly heard a

sound he recognised, he told me it was his other good friend Francois of

which he is a guardian and spent many weeks taking good care of last

winter, he asked me if it would be possible to take a photo of them

together as the opportunity rarely develops, I think Francois and Francois

would like the snap for their respective scrap books.

Please see below.

Tom Kiff

GBR 2722R

The Jolliest of Jellyfish.

After rounding the Scilly isle in a 14 knot breeze we hoisted the A2 for the

final run past the Lizard and into Plymouth. With this came the unexpected

news that we were leading IRC overall, this position held for some time

although we have lost and regained the lead several times to the Ker 39 Inis

Mor and the 47.7 Moana. Currently we have just completed our final gybe

around 30 miles outand are pushing extremely hard to get every last tenth of

a knot to secure the good result we are currently holding. Hopefully the 16

knot breeze pushing us along at 10-15 knots will hold allowing us to finish

in the next few hours and make up some time on our better-rated competitors.

During our run we picked up some passengers with us. Dolphins, Basking

Sharks and a variety of sea birds have also been seen from our boat, but

none this close up!

Next stop, Plymouth!

Henry Sheppard

MCM Magnum III

Diamonds are Forever rounded the rock at 1024 DST Wednesday. Having come out the other side of a dark night it was great that the sun came out at the exact moment we rounded the rock. It had been a surprisingly difficult night with slightly more wind than forecast and the anticipated poor vis. Never the less we ploughed through with a reef in the main beam on to the sea. We had a chat with "Hooligan" on the radio during the night when they were on their way back! With the visibility as poor as it was there was a lot of boat to boat coms going on between in bound and out bound fleets going head to head. All on board in good spirits and glad to be heading for Plymouth!

Picture Susan Glenny (Skipper) and Nicola Henderson (1st Mate) Girls for Sail instructors.

Sent from my iPhone