Moonbeams

[bilbobaggins]

A few posts ago, I mentioned 'Moonbeam' at Brest '08. Someone was sceptical, and I - rather tired and not knowing - was uncertain.....

Here, now, are a few images. There are more if wanted.

and

and

Oh, and there are a few other 'special boats' in the frame.


/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Lovely boat!

I was not being 'sceptical'. It was that you had mentioned it as 'Moonbeam IV' - which I had clocked in at 6 in the morning of tuesday, in second place of the Trophee Bailli de Suffren. I went back ashore at 03:30 after the post-prizegiving party. That is why I figured that it could not possibly be the same Moonbeam as the one at Brest; no boat is that fast! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

At worst, I am guilty of questioning the identification, not the fact that you had seen a beautiful gaffer, also named 'Moonbeam'; just that it could not have been 'Moonbeam IV'. Although there are many similarities, there are also major differences. Both are beautiful creatures though! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bilbobaggins]

I'm happy if'n you are....

I don't know enuff about elegant gaffers; I was - faute de mieux - simply impressed. BTW, note 'Joshua' in the background of one shot. She's in 'apple-pie order' and looks ready to go round again.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

'Joshua' as in Bernard Moitessier? Would that be the orange-coloured boat lying alongside?

 

[bilbobaggins]

That's the one! She's maintained by a French form of charitable trust - apparently they have little difficulty finding resources and politicians willing to do something for their marine heritage.. Then there's the big-circulation magazine and supporters' club 'Chasse Marée'.....

Now that I look closely at my piccis.....

The inscription on the wheel reads '~Moonbeam~' and 'Wm Fife~1903'

Also in one shot is the repaired tri 'Groupama' and the very high-tech cat 'Victorinex'. Whatever your sail-boating preferences and prejudices, there was plenty to gladden the eye! There was even - whisper it! - an AWB tucked away round the back somewhere.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]


The inscription on the wheel reads '~Moonbeam~' and 'Wm Fife~1903'

Also in one shot is the repaired tri 'Groupama' and the very high-tech cat 'Victorinex'. Whatever your sail-boating preferences and prejudices, there was plenty to gladden the eye! There was even - whisper it! - an AWB tucked away round the back somewhere.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


'Mine' is the younger relative as she was only created in 1914. ;(

The list of participants is HERE should you wish to see it. There are the details of date, dimensions, skippers, etc. It is always a pain when I am doing bridge and such a boat finishes: my instincts are to press the shutter release of my camera rather than the hooter! So far, however, I have always managed to put duty first. I did manage to sneak a couple of shots of Thendara but I only had one of my black & white Nikons handy at the time. Will have a processing session later this week I hope.

Re Groupama, I don't recall that she ever visited here. She might have under a different name; they do it all the time.

Last year we had a huge Tri called Sky Walker for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Previously she had been one of the (many) Gitana's. Slow by today's standards, she literally shot out of the harbour - only to retire after a couple of hours due to the weather. I love tris as well but they are a different breed; racing machines, not aristocracy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks for sharing.

 

[SunyBay]

I had the same problem in differentiating between the Moonbeams from the two Fife regattas!

However, the one flying the French flag is Moonbeam III of Fife (sail number 88), and the other one is Moonbeam IV (sail number 8). They had to have similar sail numbers as well, just to aid in the confusion! But both Moonbeams are incredibly beautiful Fifes. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Woodlouse]

The Moonbeam at Brest (and Douarnenez) was Moonbeam III. The Groupama is Groupama II, Frank Cammas' ORMA 60. Groupama III I believe is not yet repaired after breaking in the southern ocean.