OSTAR start

[snowleopard]

The 2009 race is starting from Plymouth at 12.30 on Monday.

Anyone else planning to be there to see them off?

 

[ChrisE]

Unfortunately not, was there for the 1996 start and would recommend anyone that has theopportunity to get there and be on the water. You really can't comprehend just how fast the boats are going unless you are close.

Chris, i'm seriuosly envious

 

[fastjedi]

Yeep .... We will be there /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

I have just been searching the web for some navigation guidance in the Sound on Monday .... has anyone found anything?

 

[snowleopard]

Don't forget this is the 'Original Singlehanded Transatlantic', not the professional race. That was in 2008. This one is for the 'ordinary' sailors. Paul Heiney famously came last in the 1997 race.

 

[snowleopard]

The web site is not very helpful about the start but as it's a small fleet there shouldn't be a problem getting fairly close.

The start is a line from the Melampus buoy East of Drakes Island to THV Galatea. They will be starting from 12.30 and the countdowns will be on Ch 72. I expect most of them will go out of the Western entrance with a NW wind on the beam.

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

Snowleopard 2005 was Paul Heiney's OSTAR.

 

[snowleopard]

Quite so. Senior moment. I watched the start of that one too!

 

[bilbobaggins]

I'm not old enuff yet.....

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[SimbaDog]

Yes, unless it's persisting down /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Woody1]

Have a look at www.qhmplymouth.org.uk. Local NTM's are under navigational information.

 

[SimbaDog]

If you want the directions rather than a new domain name, try this link Ostar Start /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Woody1]

Must be the age of my computer and the link I saved cause it works form me!

 

[snowleopard]

I went down to the Royal Western this evening and met some of the entrants. Very different from the professional circus, mostly quiet unassuming people.

Also had the pleasure of meeting Val Howells again, the only survivor of the 5 entrants in 1960, still quite a character.

Looks like pretty grim weather tomorrow so I'm in 2 minds about going out - rain, thunder etc.

 

[breezer5012]

We made it out today and took some photos - unfortunately the quality of some is poor as my camera packed in (apparently it happens when you forget to charge the battery) and so
I had to use my mobile. Hopefully it gives you an idea of the start of the race for those of you who weren't there.

A pretty calm start - wind speed reported to be 3 knots...

Plenty of bunting around...

I'm sure there was a very good reason for starting the race at the same time as the ferry was due in. It passed straight through the middle of the event and didn't appear to slow. It caused some interesting colreg decisions!

Day 1 in a long trip...

Some competitors and spectators, including one forumite if you can spot them...

Good luck to them all /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif