Jacarah
New member
I am exploring the idea of a dual location start for Jester 2008.
For competitors (I don't know how many) from along the Irish Sea coasts of the UK and Ireland - it is quite a journey to Plymouth singlehanded. I've done it about 8 times (3 days hard work every time) and it's a miserable experience. Its also probably the most dangerous part of the Azores trip.
Having to get to Plymouth for a deadline could mean having to take on Lands End in very nasty conditions - along with the Lizard. By the time you get to Plymouth you're ready for a refit! It also adds considerably to the cost and time for some. For example, it can mean having to leave a boat in a marina and return home - depending on personal circumstances - until closer to the start day - just to make sure the boat is in position. You can't hop down harbours or marinas in this area - they are few and very far between.
Competitors in the Irish Sea could start at an agreed time or cross an imaginary line (the latitude of Lundy would cover almost all Irish Sea and western Irish coast ports) at an agreed time. They would first have informed the organisers of their plan and that they had started thus. It would make life a bit simpler for some. Any westerly advantage is offset by the extra time. But those with handicapping skills could work this out better than I.
An Irish Sea meet-up early in the new year could be organised to help co-ordinate the facility were it to be adopted. Just a thought.
For competitors (I don't know how many) from along the Irish Sea coasts of the UK and Ireland - it is quite a journey to Plymouth singlehanded. I've done it about 8 times (3 days hard work every time) and it's a miserable experience. Its also probably the most dangerous part of the Azores trip.
Having to get to Plymouth for a deadline could mean having to take on Lands End in very nasty conditions - along with the Lizard. By the time you get to Plymouth you're ready for a refit! It also adds considerably to the cost and time for some. For example, it can mean having to leave a boat in a marina and return home - depending on personal circumstances - until closer to the start day - just to make sure the boat is in position. You can't hop down harbours or marinas in this area - they are few and very far between.
Competitors in the Irish Sea could start at an agreed time or cross an imaginary line (the latitude of Lundy would cover almost all Irish Sea and western Irish coast ports) at an agreed time. They would first have informed the organisers of their plan and that they had started thus. It would make life a bit simpler for some. Any westerly advantage is offset by the extra time. But those with handicapping skills could work this out better than I.
An Irish Sea meet-up early in the new year could be organised to help co-ordinate the facility were it to be adopted. Just a thought.