The Battle for the Baltimore
Twenty-Hundred hours aboard Rona II, red-watch were on deck as they spotted
something, a mere speck on the horizon. By nightfall, the speck had become a
clear outline of the much feared, feeder race winning, 'Pride of Baltimore'.
A gaff rigged schooner with raked masts and a skipper who could out salt the
sea itself.
It became a straight face off, who could hold their nerve, the race for
Boston just got red. 11pm arrived and white-watch appeared from their
slumber to the news that Baltimore were in reach. The race for the Rona boys
was truly on. "Action stations Boys" exclaimed Mr Parry, the officer on
deck.
And with that the Mizzen was swiftly hoisted and a full trim of the sails
was wistfully undertaken.
Three miles to the east, Baltimore winced! With that Rona II sped past. By
the end of their watch they had done all that they could, a 1 mile lead was
established; white-watch were sent below, job done.
Next up was blue-watch with their Officer Mr De'Ath, our master tactician.
Shocked by the miles off course that the pursuit of Baltimore had taken
them, they strived to regain their course. With the Skipper on the helm, the
winds shifted and due to a now gaining Baltimore they took the decision to
hoist the Mizzen Staysail. Blue watch sprang into action, by now they could
see the grimaces on Baltimore's helms face.
In their hoist the smallest of errors would cost them dear. "That's not
supposed to happen." Calmly expressed the Skipper as the sailed flapped
wildly in the wind, having worked its way free from the deck!
This was Baltimore's chance, and they took it, storming past regaining the
lead.
As morning broke and Baltimore pulling away, the race was still on.
With the Mizzen Staysail re-rigged there was only one option as red-watch
appeared to re-take the deck... more sails!
The cruising chute was hoisted up with an ingenious pole configuration and
the chase was on!
A hearty breakfast was prepared by white-watch, All-day breakfast sustenance
for the next few hours of brutal match racing. 0800 hours and white-watch
now returned to deck it was surely their moment? Spinnaker trim came
naturally and with a few hours of ice cold concentration, Baltimore were
once again within 100 meters.
Looks were exchanged between crews, it was apparent neither would flinch.
Closer and closer the boats came and with a whole crew on the deck, the
Cruising Chute had done its job! Along side Baltimore bore away, they had
thrown in the towel with the euphoric cheers of the twice accomplished Rona
II crew being heard all over the Atlantic. They had regained the lead ... or
so we had thought!
Follow the action on the Yellow Brick YB races app!
Who's on Board...
Skipper: Andy Hunter
Mate: Mark Taylor
Red:
Watch Officer-Pete Wadsworth
Watch Leader-Ed Ireson
Oscar
Ben
Ossian
Josh
White:
Watch Officer-Clive Parry
Watch Leader-Steve Jackson
Guy
Sam
George
Toby
Blue:
Watch Officer-Dom De'Ath
Watch Leader-BbbblWill
Alex H
Rhys
Billy
Alex W
Twenty-Hundred hours aboard Rona II, red-watch were on deck as they spotted
something, a mere speck on the horizon. By nightfall, the speck had become a
clear outline of the much feared, feeder race winning, 'Pride of Baltimore'.
A gaff rigged schooner with raked masts and a skipper who could out salt the
sea itself.
It became a straight face off, who could hold their nerve, the race for
Boston just got red. 11pm arrived and white-watch appeared from their
slumber to the news that Baltimore were in reach. The race for the Rona boys
was truly on. "Action stations Boys" exclaimed Mr Parry, the officer on
deck.
And with that the Mizzen was swiftly hoisted and a full trim of the sails
was wistfully undertaken.
Three miles to the east, Baltimore winced! With that Rona II sped past. By
the end of their watch they had done all that they could, a 1 mile lead was
established; white-watch were sent below, job done.
Next up was blue-watch with their Officer Mr De'Ath, our master tactician.
Shocked by the miles off course that the pursuit of Baltimore had taken
them, they strived to regain their course. With the Skipper on the helm, the
winds shifted and due to a now gaining Baltimore they took the decision to
hoist the Mizzen Staysail. Blue watch sprang into action, by now they could
see the grimaces on Baltimore's helms face.
In their hoist the smallest of errors would cost them dear. "That's not
supposed to happen." Calmly expressed the Skipper as the sailed flapped
wildly in the wind, having worked its way free from the deck!
This was Baltimore's chance, and they took it, storming past regaining the
lead.
As morning broke and Baltimore pulling away, the race was still on.
With the Mizzen Staysail re-rigged there was only one option as red-watch
appeared to re-take the deck... more sails!
The cruising chute was hoisted up with an ingenious pole configuration and
the chase was on!
A hearty breakfast was prepared by white-watch, All-day breakfast sustenance
for the next few hours of brutal match racing. 0800 hours and white-watch
now returned to deck it was surely their moment? Spinnaker trim came
naturally and with a few hours of ice cold concentration, Baltimore were
once again within 100 meters.
Looks were exchanged between crews, it was apparent neither would flinch.
Closer and closer the boats came and with a whole crew on the deck, the
Cruising Chute had done its job! Along side Baltimore bore away, they had
thrown in the towel with the euphoric cheers of the twice accomplished Rona
II crew being heard all over the Atlantic. They had regained the lead ... or
so we had thought!
Follow the action on the Yellow Brick YB races app!
Who's on Board...
Skipper: Andy Hunter
Mate: Mark Taylor
Red:
Watch Officer-Pete Wadsworth
Watch Leader-Ed Ireson
Oscar
Ben
Ossian
Josh
White:
Watch Officer-Clive Parry
Watch Leader-Steve Jackson
Guy
Sam
George
Toby
Blue:
Watch Officer-Dom De'Ath
Watch Leader-BbbblWill
Alex H
Rhys
Billy
Alex W
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