Annabella - Annabella's Final Result

It's Official! Annabella takes silver in class and 22nd overall. By "George"! What a result! And skipper Peter (now definitely Pug) gets senior line honours for being first skipper over 60 across the line without using the engine. He is very chuffed.The question of whether it was a race or a rally is exercising some minds in the community. Technically it was a rally, but for the crews on George and Annabella is was definitely an exciting race over the final week.Would we do it again? Well, maybe we won't be first in the queue, but never say never. Annabella is now in Marigot bay in St Lucia, will continue on to the Grenadines and will probably end up in Antigua over the next two weeks. She will be shipped back to Southampton in April/May and will spend summer 2014 in West Cork.Merry. read more...

Annabella - Annabella - Final blog

Position: Berth E 17, Rodney Bay Marina, St LuciaOur arrival in Rodney Bay was a bit dramatic, because it was blowing 25 knots with big rolling waves as we approached the island. We thought that once we got around the top we would be in the lea of the land giving calmer water for gybing. How wrong can you be? We managed to get rid of the pole, and all we had to do was let the port twin over on to the starboard twin and sort the sheets. We could then scoot over the line. Port twin was let go too early and went in front of the forestay with gusts of 30 knots. Struggled to get the sheet around the forestay, but after a bit of flapping managed it and we were in. Kaoma, who we met in Las Palmas was coming in behind us and managed to squeeze ahead of us (higher division so not an issue).. read more...

Annabella - LOG 19 - SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER

Position: 14 11.5N 59 09.9WDistance to St Lucia: 103.8NMDistance last 24 hours 190NMAs I type at 0700 local time (1100GMT) we have 95 NMto go. We should be there in about 12 - 14 hours by the time we go around the corner at the top of the island and into Rodney Bay. We seem to be slightly ahead of George so it may come down to the last few miles. We will have to get rid of the twin head sails, hoist the main and not lose any ground. The port twin sheet is fed through a block on the end of the boom which we are using as a substitute pole. The starboard twin is fed through the spinny pole which is easy enough. The trick will be to gybe letting the port twin over on to the starboard twin, sort the sheets, and then hoist the main. Sounds easy ..........?.Everyone is up already. read more...

Annabella - Log 18 - Friday 13th December

Position: 14 11.7N 55 49.9WDistance to St Lucia: 297.4NMDistance since log 17: 194NMPossibility that we will get into St Lucia Saturday evening sometime. Daily mileage is holding well and forecast is suggesting 25 + knots for tomorrow. The twin headsails are working well, but the rolling they induce means that the body is constantly in motion. It is especially noticeable when trying to sleep. Feels as if someone is pushing you continuously. The distance left is similar to the Dunlaoghaire to Dingle race so it feels very much in home territory.We moved into 4th place in our class yesterday and we think we can see no. 3 ahead of us on the horizon. He was 19 NMs ahead yesterday in the position report. We are optimistic that we can catch him (if it is him) before we get much. read more...

Annabella - Log 17 - Thursday 12th December

Position: 14 10.20N 52 29.36WDistance to St Lucia: 491.8NMDistance since log 16: 198NMScreaming along at 9 knots + towards St Lucia and will break 200NM in 24 hours since we put the twin head sails up yesterday at about 1300. Recording lots of 10s and at one stage 12.3 going down a wave. VMG and boat speed the same so we must be doing something right. Forecast is for wind to hold and if it does we may be looking at Saturday night arrival. However, reluctant to count our chickens. We are now looking forward to the positions download to see if we made any ground on 3rd and 4th in class.Today is day 18 and we had originally targetedtoday for arrival. We probably lost one day due to our own inefficiencies and a couple of days to light winds. Nevertheless, it has been very enjoyable. read more...