Offshore Racing...why?

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StellaGirl

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Just had a long weekend away doing the RORC Cowes to St Malo. We left Hamble Friday morning and the start was at RYS at 12.10pm. A kite start out of the Solent was followed by a 100 mile beat to Casquets.....ans then a dying breeze 10nm from St Malo.
As I sat on the rail at 3am Saturday morning, getting soaked and lacking in any sleep, I promised myself I would never race offshore again. However once back on dry land in France and a beer breakfast Sunday morning, (still no sleep yet)followed by a hilarious 24hours trying to get home and drinking every cocktail on the menu on the overnight ferry back, the memories suddenly becom rosey and you find yourself looking forward to the next race.
What is it in your mind that makes you block out the shitty bits and makes you believe it wasn't that bad?!
 
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.....What is it in your mind that makes you block out the shitty bits and makes you believe it wasn't that bad?!

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Sounds like alcohol. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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What is it in your mind that makes you block out the shitty bits and makes you believe it wasn't that bad?!

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Adrenalin, the challenge , the achievement and as DJE says the alcohol at the end.
 
You don't have to go racing to collect any of these experiences. Try cruising and have them at a more leisurely pace. The only difficulty with cruising is having to be back in the office on Monday morning, I guess.
 
I know that "never again" feeling - but it never lasts after the first pint once the finish line has been crossed!
 
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What is it in your mind that makes you block out the shitty bits and makes you believe it wasn't that bad?!

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My wife occasionally comments that this applies to childbirth as well as sailing, as otherwise there would only ever be single child families.
 
I know what you mean, after the RORC Cherbourg race most of our crew were doubting if they would race offshore again, but a few days later the pain is forgotten and they were all enthuesed again. I think most of us are unable to remember the true misery of bad experiences but are very good at remembering pleasure, in life as well as sailing.

Martin
 
Something about the triumph of hope over experience?

I cannot for the life of me understand why, every two years or thereabouts, hundreds of yotties sail out from Cowes, nonstop, to somewhere just off Ireland. Then, just when they're within spitting distance of some of the finest pubs in Christendom, they all turn around and come back!!

WIHIH?

And they're about to do it again.....
 
Try as I might, I just can't quite comprehend why I agree from time to time to spend hours sat on the side of a yacht getting cold, numb backside and the imprint of a 3" narrow alloy toerail across the back of the knees...........
Crusising seems infinitey more preferable.
 
Took me three times round that damn Rock before it finally clicked. Now I'm cruising and can pull into all the interesting landfalls.

Maybe an 'alternative Fastnet' would be a good idea: first beer and a good night's sleep in the Scillies; then arrive at the Rock at a similar time to most of the fleet before bidding them fair winds via the VHF whilst mentioning we're off to Kinsale for a hot shower, decent meal and a jar of the black stuff.
 
I wouldn't sit on the toe rail for anyone. I prefer to sail a boat that doesn't need tha ballast on the windward side. My sail to San Malo recently was great and as I was single handed no poor sod had to sit out and hope that any extra sail could be maintained.
regards.

Peter.
 
Hmm .. you're obviously on a quicker boat .. we missed tidal gate at Guernsey, so didn't finish until gone 3pm Sunday. Then, we had the long haul back.

I am asking myself this very same question. The whole weekend for me (sailing wise) started 18:00 Thursday and finished 19:30 Monday .. in that time there were less than 8 hours not actively racing/passage making...

I am obviously going mad...

Regards, Jeff.
 
.. hhmm .. only if crossing the line doesn't actually mean "drop spinnaker, raise head sail, perform 180 degree turn and start beating home".

Regards, Jeff.
 
True - there are boats like that - my advice is to avoid them.

Still worse those which are: drop sails, engine on, 180 turn, motor home
 
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