Eddystone Chartiy Pursuit Race 2009

 

Contingency plans for the 8th Eddystone Pursuit did not have to be put into effect as the Race Director decided on the basis of the in depth analysis of the weather system available, that conditions were safe for the event.

Persistent rain and a south south west wind made it an uncomfortable beat out to the Hand Deeps Buoy, approx 3 nm north West of the Eddystone Lighthouse. Well over 70 yachts of the original 89 entries set out and, though a number retired, by the end of the day nearly 60 yachts had completed the full course.

Bare Knuckles the fastest boat racing started two and a half hours after the first boats started. By the time Bare Knuckles had reached Hand Deeps Buoy half of the fleet had been overtaken. With the spinnaker up and 22 knot of wind blowing the crew on Bare Knuckles set about the task of overtaking everything in sight. With boat speeds reaching 12 knot at times Bare knuckles raced past some of the boats that had been out since 09.00am. Bare Knuckles crossed the line in 13th place. The crew from Living Space Architects worked hard to keep the boat going while getting slightly wet from the constant rain.

An enjoyable evening back at the RWYC for the event supper, supported by an excellent Jazz Band provided the ideal conditions for the prize giving in which every entrant received some recognition and reward for their chosen charity.

Julia Creeke provide £12,975 for distribution as prizes, as well paying the cost of running the event, which, added to the £22,500 raised in advance by individual boats for their chosen charities, meant that an astounding £35,475 was raised by the event for local and national charities.

Bare Knuckles and the crew from Living Space Architects fronted by Stuart Bayley finished 24th after the complex points scoring system. A prize of £150.00 was won for Shelter the nominated charity for Living Space Architects.

Bare Knuckles Racing would like to thank Living Space Architects for their support.