A stiff easterly wind prevents the fleet from moving again
Rain and wind stops play
Position 49° 38.69 N 001° 37.25 W
Cherbourg Marina
For the second time in two days the alarm went off at 0700 hrs aboard Calm Voyager and Time Flies departed the Cherbourg breakwater to report back on the conditions on passage to St Vaast. Unfortunately it was another ‘no go’ for the fleet. 16 miles into the track the conditions were uncomfortable with an easterly force 5-6 on the nose. The radio call went out at 1000 hrs to say the fleet wouldn’t be going anywhere today.
Crews dispersed into town where there was a bustling market with fresh food, bread, smelly cheeses and other traditional French delicacies available. A heavy rain shower at lunchtime gave a break from the sticky marina conditions at low water.
The participants and MBM team are equally disappointed. The team will look at the conditions again in the morning but as the weather forecast had predicted earlier in the weekend, the best day this week would be Friday.
In the evening the MBM team hosted the ritual pontoon party. Crews gathered on visitor pontoon P and with 46 people the pontoon was lying very low in the water but remarkably remained afloat.
Photo Captions:
Neale addresses the fleet at the sink the pontoon party
3 year old Sophie from Sealine S28 ‘Flower Power’
