hhsailor
New member
Hi @all,
after having a look at the former results of the jester challenge there is no way to ignore the high numbers of retiring starters.
While reflecting this there appears the question, if there's need for a step, before entering a course, that requires extended experiences of ocean-sailing and a boat, that is proven to survive all conditions, that may be met, without serious losses and shortcomings.
Thus the idea, to have a step of "jester challenging", before entering the very big leg to Newport.
I think, this was already the idea of the Jester Azores Challenge.
It proved to be a success with the significantly higher numbers of starters, that reached the goal. And of this successful participants will surely more also succeed to Newport.
But I doubt, that the Azores are the perfect reference to this kind of race: it's kinda sailing into the south and sunshine, while the challenging part mostly consists of the first days when crossing (before) the Biscaya.
But Newport isn't a destination where the sun rules the conditions and the sea.
If we instead remember Jesters initial voyages by Blondie Hasler, we find, that he was successful sailing a northern course and dared this with a boat of 25', while there were no modern advanced means, like GPS available.
Thus he had put a reference of singlehanded sailing to inspire many, who followed.
One who is following closest in his spirit, is IMO Roger Taylor, who proved this with his northern voyage to Jan Mayen this year.
And it might be appropriate, setting up a northern Jester Challenge in order to give the participants qualifying, training and fun, while also widening the circle.
You may set up a route, maybe starting at Den Helder / NL, to Scotland or Shetlands, then Rockall and Faröer, maybe finishing in southern Norway, or extending to Thyboröen / DK and Helgoland, german bight.
Thus a Jester Challenge might include in addition four seagoing nations, that maybe don't care much on a course, that is set (too) far away from there homezones and thus extend the circle of Jester participants.
You may have many starters - owner of the many small yachts, that are around - who not are involved to qualify for the Challenge bound to Newport, but just like to use this opportunity for trying with their small boat a seagoing course, that they otherwise - without support / companionship of this "race" - hadn't dare to. And who afterwards may think about sailing the course to Newport.
I believe, the basic idea of Hasler and his "Jester" and following the Jester Challenge means an encouraging of small boat sailors to dare passages over the open sea and oceans, while most of them feel limited to voyages at the coast and the waters they have around the harbour, they are located.
Races / "Challenges" that extend this smaller reach significantly - without immediately stepping up to crossing the atlantic - may be suitable to push the idea of Hasler and others, to mobilize small boat sailors trying and widening their limits.
hhsailor
after having a look at the former results of the jester challenge there is no way to ignore the high numbers of retiring starters.
While reflecting this there appears the question, if there's need for a step, before entering a course, that requires extended experiences of ocean-sailing and a boat, that is proven to survive all conditions, that may be met, without serious losses and shortcomings.
Thus the idea, to have a step of "jester challenging", before entering the very big leg to Newport.
I think, this was already the idea of the Jester Azores Challenge.
It proved to be a success with the significantly higher numbers of starters, that reached the goal. And of this successful participants will surely more also succeed to Newport.
But I doubt, that the Azores are the perfect reference to this kind of race: it's kinda sailing into the south and sunshine, while the challenging part mostly consists of the first days when crossing (before) the Biscaya.
But Newport isn't a destination where the sun rules the conditions and the sea.
If we instead remember Jesters initial voyages by Blondie Hasler, we find, that he was successful sailing a northern course and dared this with a boat of 25', while there were no modern advanced means, like GPS available.
Thus he had put a reference of singlehanded sailing to inspire many, who followed.
One who is following closest in his spirit, is IMO Roger Taylor, who proved this with his northern voyage to Jan Mayen this year.
And it might be appropriate, setting up a northern Jester Challenge in order to give the participants qualifying, training and fun, while also widening the circle.
You may set up a route, maybe starting at Den Helder / NL, to Scotland or Shetlands, then Rockall and Faröer, maybe finishing in southern Norway, or extending to Thyboröen / DK and Helgoland, german bight.
Thus a Jester Challenge might include in addition four seagoing nations, that maybe don't care much on a course, that is set (too) far away from there homezones and thus extend the circle of Jester participants.
You may have many starters - owner of the many small yachts, that are around - who not are involved to qualify for the Challenge bound to Newport, but just like to use this opportunity for trying with their small boat a seagoing course, that they otherwise - without support / companionship of this "race" - hadn't dare to. And who afterwards may think about sailing the course to Newport.
I believe, the basic idea of Hasler and his "Jester" and following the Jester Challenge means an encouraging of small boat sailors to dare passages over the open sea and oceans, while most of them feel limited to voyages at the coast and the waters they have around the harbour, they are located.
Races / "Challenges" that extend this smaller reach significantly - without immediately stepping up to crossing the atlantic - may be suitable to push the idea of Hasler and others, to mobilize small boat sailors trying and widening their limits.
hhsailor
