Michelmores Challenge 2009
The 19th Annual Michelmores Challenge Yacht Race is to take place in Torbay on Saturday 5 September, when over 40 yachts and 300 crew compete in one of the UK's largest invitation-only corporate water borne events.
The Exeter based law firm is renowned for organising prestige events, which include the 1200-entry 5 kilometre charity road race around Exeter city centre and the regional annual commercial property awards.
Michelmores Director of Client Services, Andrew Maynard said: 'The Michelmores Challenge was established in 1990 and has grown in size and competitive endeavour since then.
'The event is now routinely featured in national yachting event listings and is accorded the accolade of being referred to simply as 'The Michelmores' for which we are immensely proud.
'Last year's victorious crews came from property consultants the Bailey Partnership, who won both the Challenge Cup and the Challenge Trophy, while accountants Francis Clark carried off the Michelmores Challenge Bowl
Maze UK headed by Richard May put in a sterling effort on Bare Knuckles finishing 3rd on the water having just pipped Papillion at the finish.
Louis Vuitton Cup - Nice - Nov 2009
Nigel from Bare Knuckles Racing has been skippering the committee boat for Louis Vuitton in the WSTA regatta in Nice for the last couple of months.
Back in October two America's Cup yachts were towed from Valencia in Spain to Nice for the regatta. The tow covered 450 miles up the Spanish coast and across the Gulf of Lyon arriving in Nice 48 hours later with a average tow speed of 9 knots.
The regatta saw some fantastic match racing between the competing teams. After round robin one ETNZ lay in first position with Team Origin in second. The French team French Spirit had a collision with the committee boat during one of the races, causing their boat to be withdrawn fro racing for a couple.
With just two boats racing and very shifty light winds the crews had to endure considerable time waiting for the sea breeze to kick in. All but one race from round robin one was sailed.
Round robin two saw all four boats racing in some very competitive racing. The final was between ETNZ and Azzurra in the Mascalzone Latino boats. First race went to Azzurra after a large wind shift played in their favour allowing them to dominated the lead.
The second race was one of the best from the whole regatta with ETNZ requiring a win to stand a change of winning. Azzurra sailed another perfect race to win the Louis Vuitton Trophy - Nice - 2009.
Following the regatta Nigel and a crew of other dedicated yacht builders, riggers, sail makers and the like towed two of the yacht back to Valencia via La Ciotat in France. The tow saw some large waves just off Hyeres and the Cap D'Armes which caused some damage to one of the yachts and one of the tow vessels. After a weather break in La Ciotat the tow entered the Gulf of Lyon in a westerly direction to avoid strong winds and large sea further offshore. As the sea state settled down the tow speed went up to a blistering 15 knots.
After 48 hours towing the boats arrived in Valencia safe and sound.
Dartmouth Regatta 2009
The 2009 Dartmouth Regatta sailing events attracted 313 craft within 18 classes for a total of over 122 races over the week. The 4 days of racing were reduced to 3 when racing was called off on Friday due to strong winds.
Fortunately conditions on Saturday were ideal with a strong breeze and brilliant sunshine but by Sunday the weather had deteriorated and constant drizzle coupled with an 18 knot wind meant poor visibility.
RORC Fastnet Race 2009
While the previous Rolex Fastnet Race is remembered for the course record time being demolished, the only record broken in this year's running of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's biennial 608 nautical-mile classic was one relating to competitor patience, as light winds at the start and end, combined with powerful spring tides, made for a 'tactically challenging' race, and one of the longest in recent years.
The race started at 1305 for the IRC 1 class with the tide ebbing from the Solent out towards The Needles. The wind was light with the fleet splitting up between the north and south side of the channel. Bare Knuckles headed for the northern side out towards Hurst Castle with little wind. By the time the wind had filled in from the south west, it was decided to head out to sea as the tidal gate for Portland Bill had been missed.
At 0200 with 120 meters of warp, chain and anchor out, Bare Knuckles was still making 2.5 knots boat speed in the wrong direction. By 0500 the wind started to fill in from the west initially at 10 knots and slowly building to 18 knots. With this increase in wind speed, the crew got the boat up to speed and back into the race.
Over the next day, Bare Knuckles overtook boat after boat as it climbed up the fleet. By Tuesday morning, the south Devon coast of Start Point was reached, with still plenty of wind although visibility reduced to less than 500 meters. You only see other boats close up when visibility is reduced.
As the weather and visibility cleared up on Tuesday, Plymouth and the Eddystone Lighthouse soon disappeared out of view on the way to the next major landmark, The Lizard.
With the wind yet again reducing to a little over 4 knots, the sight of the Lizard Lighthouse took an eternity to vanish out of view. With light winds and clear skies, the horizon was a sea of red, green and white lights from the competing yachts and the odd ship, which must have wished they had stayed in port for a couple of extra days.
Following a rather slow sail out to Lands End, it was hoped that the wind would fill in from west. However, yet again, we were left with light and variable winds ranging from 5 to 10 knots and changing direction by as much as 50 degrees. into the Celtic Sea, the conditions remained unchanged until late afternoon on the Tuesday when the wind settled down at 14 knots. With this increase, Bare Knuckles wound up to full speed and began the task of pulling back some places.
By daybreak Wednesday, Bare Knuckles was only 35 miles from the Fastnet Rock with poor visibility but a good 18 – 20 knots of wind. Other competitors were sighted, as the fleet tacked to reach the rock. At 1108am, the Fastnet Rock was reached, with visibility only 50 metres. It felt like a long way to not see the Fastnet Rock. After Pantaeneous, the spinnaker was hoisted for the long downwind leg to The Isles of Scilly. Speeds of 8 to 12 knots helped push bare Knuckles up the results board.
At the Isles of Scilly the wind disappeared altogether and Jaguar Logic with Pete Summers is only a few hundred meters away. At this stage its a battle to keep Bare Knuckles moving in the right direction. All it takes is for the tide to turn and we could be heading up towards Wales. The Code A O secret weapon is hoisted and all of a sudden we are moving at 1.2 knots in the right direction with only 2.5 knots of wind. The mood lifts on the boat as we start the last leg back to Plymouth and the finish line. At 0400 Friday morning we at reaching past Falmouth at 7.4 knots with the asymmetric and all crew members sat on the windward rail. During the night the fleet had converged between The Lizard Point and Rame Head. As daybreak arrived we are greeted to a sight of over 50 boats all charging towards Plymouth with their spinnakers up.
The finish was reached after 5 days 10 hours 38 minutes and 12 second placing Bare Knuckles 37th in Class and 186th overall out of 300 entries.
Congratulation to all the crew on Bare Knuckles who completed the Rolex Fastnet Race 2009.
Skipper – Nigel Mashembo
1st Mate – James Eastbury
Galley – Marcus Caston
Heads – Mike Houstoun
Port saloon bunk – Phil Trotter
Just for charity – Trevor Perry
Man with bucket – Fedor Sidorenko
Spinnaker – Ross Hayward
Fore deck – Adam
Deck fluff – Richard Wood
Trevor Perry's account of the race:
Trevor also raised over £1000.00 for charity doing this event.
My Fastnet started when I boarded the Cowes ferry from Southampton on
Saturday Afternoon. Knowing our start time was 1300 on the Sunday I was
a little nervous and a little excited. The nerves soon left me once I
arrived at the boat and met the crew, some for the first time. We were
to be a very snugly fitting 10 on the 38 foot Prima.
Once on the water, Sunday morning, we discussed our tactics for the
start. I just wanted to know where I fitted and what was expected of me.
My sailing ability not really up to race tactics. The next thing we are
over the line and away.
We were then 'blighted' with the lack of wind which scuppered a good
clean start. This was not the only time in the 5 days and 11 minutes of
the race where we 'floundered' around trying to keep the boat moving
forward. I had never experienced such frustration in my life. Especially
when you could see that other boats had wind or smaller lighter boats
were making better progress than we were.
The moral on board was always light hearted and we all seemed to 'gel'
together well whether we were on or off watch. The boat generally moved
forwards and most of the time fairly quickly (though not quick enough to
give us a really good finishing position for most of the crew I spoke
to). I am sure if we had winds of force 4 - 6 Bareknuckles would have
performed even better.
Overall I have an absolutely smashing time. Learnt a lot, made some real
friends and got a lot out of the whole experience. The most
disappointing thing about the whole week, and I speak for most of the
crew, was not seeing the Fastnet rock as we rounded it due to the fog.
Oh well better think about doing it again.
Plymouth Regatta 2009
Bare Knuckles competed in the annual Port of Plymouth Regatta Friday 31st July & Saturday 1st August in the IRC Div A class under the name Living Space.
With mixed weather the crew of Bare Knuckles managed to finish 3rd overall after 4 races and one discard.
The crew were fronted by Stuart Bayley on the Friday and Kirsty Bayley on the Saturday. Crew members were made up of clients and contractors of Living Space Architects.
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.
Round the Island Race 2009
The wind had managed to play tricks, providing spinnaker-shredding gusts around St Catherine's Point before turning through 180 degrees and disappearing completely for some time at Bembridge. Despite the challenging conditions, 1,566 boats completed the course, an increase on 2008. Some, like the Cornish Shrimper Nornie and Catalac 8.5 Blithe Spirits had been at sea well over 14 hours, in contrast with fleet leader Oman Sail Masirah (Extreme 40 - Pete Cumming) which crossed the line in half the time.
The big boats suffered more from the lack of wind leaving the smaller, lower rated entries to carry off the top prizes. Tattarat (Folkboat - Philip Williams) won the Gold Roman Bowl by heading the leader board in IRC followed by sistership Nordic Bear (Brian Appleyard) with Scallywag (Quarter tonner - Ali Tyler/Steve Lawrence) third. In the ISC Rating System section for non-regular racers, Tudor Rose (Hunter Medina - Richard and Ian Cooke) gained a 35 minute lead on handicap from Clarissa (David Thomas one off - John Langdon) to take the Silver Gilt Roman Bowl.
Bare Knuckles finished 33rd in group, 71st in class and 351 overall out of 1564 finishers. Congratulations to the crew for finishing towards the front of the fleet.
Plymouth - St Malo Race 4th - 7th June
Bare Knuckles was delighted to welcome on board Rob Cummings for the Plymouth to St Malo race 4th – 7th June 2009, Rob’s first race since recently withdrawing from the OSTAR 2009 Single Handed Transatlantic Yacht Race.
Bare Knuckles stormed across the finish line at over 9 knots and in second place to ‘Bling’. Overall results are still awaited, but the prediction on corrected times is that Bare Knuckles finished third overall in IRC class.
The race started from the Royal Western Yacht Club’s start line in the Cattewater on Thursday 4th June 2009 at 18.15pm. Bare Knuckles crossed the start line in third place and immediately overtook the x-332 ‘X-rated’ before reaching Mountbatten pier. From then on, the race order was set.
The race started with light easterly winds which reduced to 6 to 8 knots overnight making for slow progress. By day-break, the winds had increased to 12 to 14 knots from the South East, allowing Bare Knuckles to get up to speed and pull away from all other boats in sight.
The French coast was sighted about midday and Bare Knuckles crossed the finish line in style at 16.06, 5 seconds BST making for a crossing time of just over 21 hours for the 140 mile race.
The team enjoyed a well earned meal ashore in St Malo before the return crossing which was smooth until the wind reached 25 knots from the north-west which made for an interesting sail back to Plymouth.
The sun shone throughout (save for nights!) and the crew enjoyed basking in the sun as can be seen from the pictures in the picture gallery.
Well done to the St Malo team of Bare Knuckles and a big thanks to Rob Cummings!
The results are now in and we finished 5th overall with only 20 minutes separating 3rd and 5th after 22 hours of racing.
OSTAR Transatlantic Race 2009
CHEERS, applause and the firing of a start gun signalled the launch of an epic 2,800-mile dash across the Atlantic.
Thousands of people flocked to vantage points around Plymouth Sound, crowding the popular Jennycliff and Hoe spots to witness the start of The Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR).
Hundreds of others took to the water for a close-up view of the start of the yacht race.
The historic event was given the royal seal of approval with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh firing the gun at 12.30pm, which officially started the race.
Favourable light winds saw the 33 multi-national competitors in their spectacular yachts get off to a flying start, gliding through the choppy seas beyond the breakwater.
With months and years of planning a distant memory, the sailors will now face fierce conditions – and possibly even icebergs – as they proceed to Rhode Island in America.
The youngest competitor taking part this time round is Rob Cumming, a 19-year-old from Higher Compton.
He was one of 16 UK entries lining up alongside sailors from countries including the USA, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Holland.
The former Eggbuckland Community College pupil said: 'It has been exceptionally stressful but it is an incredible feeling to be finally off.
'I am nervous but I'm sure that feeling will go when I get properly under way.
'I hope to complete the race in two to three weeks.'
Rob also praised the financial and other support he has received which enabled him to be on the start line.
'Without the support it simply would not have been possible,' he added.
'Taking part in this race is a dream for me. I cannot thank Plymouth enough.'
David Southwood, race director, said: 'It was a real honour to have the Duke of Edinburgh starting the race, and a large crowd was out to enjoy the sunshine and show their support for the competitors.
'The OSTAR is one of the most exciting events in the maritime calendar, and the Royal Western Yacht Club has worked hard to maintain its Corint
St Peter Port Race
THE Royal Naval Sailing Association's Plymouth to St Peter Port Race off the Stonehouse Camber attracted 15 yachts to the start.
Martin Wood in Red Wine and Chris Hughes' Riverdance were both over the line at the start but only Hughes returned to restart.
All the yachts were slowed crossing the Channel by light to no wind overnight with X Rated (Charles Gurney) reporting a four-hour windless spell.
While Just 4 Fun (Simon Mather) was apparently 'kept company' by a nearby ODAS buoy overnight.
Unfortunately, conditions led to both Red Wine and Djinn Seng (Jeremy Stevenson) retiring overnight.
Although the conditions were not ideal for competitors, it did prevent a possible international sailing incident at the finish where 124 French yachts were unexpectedly found to be starting their second leg to Perros-Guirec from the RNSA's finish line.
Tidal influences and light winds meant that only one of the eight PY yachts entered could finish by the 6pm deadline but all six IRC yachts managed to record a time.
After just over 19 hours Exocet Strike (John Dyer) was first over the line in the IRC Fleet followed 10 minutes afterwards by Bare Knuckles (Nigel Mashembo). But both were beaten by the Devonport's in Musk-Ox on corrected time.
Just 4 Fun took second place with X Rated in third and Imarra (Rob Davis) fourth. The Devonport's also took the IRC Two handed honours. Similarly, Nigel Philpott's Quid Non? won both PY crewed and two handed classes. Crews thoroughly enjoyed the prize giving reception hosted by deputy Mike Garrett of Deputy Head of Guernsey Culture and Leisure in the magnificent grounds of Castle Cornet.
Falmouth Triangle Race May 2009
Fastnet Race Open Day 14th February
Bare Knuckles Racing will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 14th February at Queen Ann's Battery Marina in Plymouth.
The Bare Knuckles Racing Open Day is the opportunity for prospective Fastnet Race 2009 crew see Bare Knuckles, speak to the skipper Nigel Mashembo about the Fastnet Race and training programme and go out for a short familiarisation sail in Plymouth Sound on a Prima 38.
Our Fastnet Race campaign offers the opportunity to gain over 1500 sea miles including 3 training weekends, 2 offshore cross channel races and the ISAF Offshore Safety Course. We want our crew to be the best trained crew, not just passengers. If you want to go Offshore Yacht Racing then the Fastnet Race with Bare Knuckles racing is the event for you.
Places are limited to nine people for the morning and nine for the afternoon so please e-mail or call 07773 111860 to book a morning or afternoon sail on Bare Knuckles with Nigel Mashembo.
For full details of the Bare Knuckles Racing Fastnet campaign please see www.fastnetrace2009.co.uk.
We look forward to seeing you in Plymouth on the 14th February.
Tea & Coffee provided.
Bare Knuckles mainsail failure.
23rd November.
Race 2 - 23rd November
A wet overcast morning with a forecast for strong wind with gusts to 40mph failed to deter thirty two competitors from turning out for the second race in the Royal Western’s Icicle Series sponsored by Ullman Sails & F.S. Composite Design Ltd.
The black hull of Allan Meridith’s QUICKBREW bearing down the line on port tack seconds before the start raised a few excited cries from boats approaching the line on starboard, but a quick tack enabled him to take an initial lead.
A rather large black cloud loomed from the west with winds reaching 50 knots. Several boats sustained gear failure including BARE KNUCKLES who was fourth when her mainsail split and had to retire from the race.
QUICKBREW although briefly dropping the headsail on seeing GOLDEN ROSE in trouble he managed to finish first in Div 3 on corrected time. Allan felt it a hallow victory, however, since Nigel Passmore’s APOLLO had stopped racing to stand by GORDON ROSE which had capsized.
ELUSIVE, one of the few boats to be reefed at the start coped with the squall, which competitors recorded as around 50 k, better than most of Div 6 where more than half suffered gear failure and retired. A third over the line was sufficient to gain a first position on corrected time from the five finishers of the eleven starters.
David Hearn’s GARGOUILLE claimed line honours in Div 2 but on corrected time the smaller JOBERG Phil Hooper and POPPIN Tim Burne finished ahead but still behind the winner, on corrected time, DIVA of ARDLAMONT Chris Greensted.
The Royal Western is grateful for assistance provided by the Fire Tender’s crew who were in the vicinity at the time of the capsize and brought the crew of Golden Rose ashore and also to Plymouth Lifeboat crew.
IRC A Positions
Joint 1st MIGHTYMAX III & QUICKBREW
3rd WESTAWAY MAX
4th TWENTY
5th BARE KNUCKLES
With three more races remain,
Michelmores Cup
5th September 2008
This years Michelmore Cup provided some fantastic racing with boat speeds of 12.5 knots on Bare Knuckles recorded between dartmouth and Berry Head.
Maze Consulting aboard Bare Knuckles finished 5th across the line and 13th on corrected time.
Of 64 yachts entered, 48 crossed the start line aiming to win at least one of the three trophies on offer with victory in the Michelmores Challenge Cup and the Challenge Trophy competitions going to Apollo skippered by Mike Fisher of property consultants, the Bailey Partnership.
Happy Daze, entered jointly by Francis Clark and Quba Sails and skippered by Philip Crompton was victorious in the Division 2 competition winning the Michelmores Challenge Bowl.
Wayne Elliott of the Met Office gave a weather forecast at the Skipper's Briefing which proved to be remarkably accurate confirming the correct wind speeds and even the time of a brief spell of rain in the afternoon.
Michelmores senior partner, Will Michelmore said: 'Once again the race was a triumph for everyone with a little under 500 crew, Michelmores staff and guests attending the post race party.
Crown Prosecution Service charity sailing day
18th October 2008
Winners of the Kings Bench Chambers Charity Quiz Night in August the Crown Prosecution Service Plymouth also became the highest bidder for a days sailing with Bare Knuckles Racing with all proceeds going to charity.
Saturday 18th October arrived with bright sunshine and little wind in Plymouth Sound. This was greeted with reassuring smiles and confidence from the CPS team.
After a leisurely start, the crew headed out into Plymouth Sound for their initial introduction to sailing before lunch in Cawsand Bay.
After lunch, the wind picked up to make for a fast sail on the Eddyston Lighthouse Challenge. The outward led from Plymouth breakwater,was skippered by Linda and Ann. With boat speeds reaching 9 knots, a fast time was going to be set. Once round the Eddyston, the pace was even quicker with new skipper Michael reaching 10.5 knots on the surf. Plymouth breakwater was closing in very fast as the wind picked up to 20 knots. A time of 3 hours and 14 minutes was recorded for the challenge.
A great day on Bare Knuckles was had by all.
BARE KNUCKLES 4th IN ICICLE SERIES 2008
16th November 2008
Race 1 - 16 November 2008
ROYAL WESTERN YACHT CLUB ICICLE SERIES 2008 Sponsored by Ullman Sails & F.S Composite Design Ltd
The Icicle Series got off to a good start with over 40 yachts all set to make an impression in this the most respectable and revered Sunday Morning sport. Expectations of a robust wind that would allow the course to extend outside of the Breakwater faded on Saturday and left us with a sprightly 9 or 10 knot wind that danced around but was broadly from the West.
To balance the demands of the 3 classes a windward - leeward course was set with Queen’s Ground Buoy at the windward end and F Buoy the leeward. 1,2 and 3 laps were required for the respective IRC A, B and PY classes with the exit from F taking the yachts on a homeward path to the Club finish line, via an additional short but taxing windward leg from Dunstone Rock to Melampus.
The tide was a full ebb, but this didn’t cause as much a problem as the ‘hole’ in the wind about 3 cables SW of F Buoy.
MIGHTY MAX III, Andrew Williams Prima 38 led the IRC A fleet for most of the way around and took first place with a comfortable margin over QUICKBREW, Alan Meredith's Dehler 39 and newcomer TWENTY, Andy Postle's Cork 1720, in 3rd place and BARE KNUCKLES, Nigel Mashembo's Prima 38 4th.
A very satisfying start to this short, oddball, series which promises keen racing and much to chew over back in the clubhouse the new sponsor Ullman Sails & F.S Composite Design Ltd must be very pleased to see how popular this event is likely to be over the next 4 races.
David Moon Race Officer. 16th Nov 08
Yacht Racing Calendar 2009
20th November 2008
The 2009 Bare Knuckles Yacht Racing Calendar is now available to view on the events page of the website.
Events include the Fastnet Race, Round the Island Race and Cowes Week, Torbay and Dartmouth Regattas. Then Later in the year we shall be sailing down to Porto, Cadiz and Gibraltar before joining the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in the Canaries on 22nd November for the winter 2009/2010 in the Caribbean.
A full program of sailing and racing will soon be posted for the Caribbean season. Watch this space or go to http://www.bareknucklesracing.com/events_diary.asp