It has been so good to be out sailing recently and I am massively inspired by some of the talent too. The Vendee 2020 Vision is a bold initiative and one I am delighted to be part of. Artemis Ocean Racing are giving the Artemis Academy alumni access to their Open 60 with the skipper Mikey Ferguson and I on board to coach and help them develop some solo skills stepping up to a big boat. It has been varied conditions, everything from thick fog and light winds to bumpy seas and 29 knots of wind. There have been lots of gybes, lots of tacks and numerous sail changes. There really is no rest as if they are not busy with the action then they are working on their passage making and practising their personal and boat management, which is just as important when sailing solo.
Now for the bank holiday I head off to France to join Annemieke Bes and the Oman Sail women’s programme for Normandie Week. We will be racing a J80 and I just hope they haven’t forgotten what they learnt a few weeks ago in Spi Ouest. Hopefully we will be building on their skills and not starting again.
As we approach the longest day and the start of summer I will be taking on a huge challenge with the Sail 4 Cancer Team entered into the Three Peaks Yacht Race, but I shall talk more about that after France. Bon voyage xx