Solo Concarneau15 - 05 - 12
The one question we normally always get asked after a race is what were the highs and lows, what went well what didn’t, usually the most interesting things to hear and learn from. For the Solo Concarneau for me, highs and lows is the perfect description.
How Many People Does It Take…08 - 05 - 12
How many people does it take to flake an 1150kg genoa? Surprisingly only around 6-7 but the area needed is somewhat massive!
A windy week all round01 - 05 - 12
Since the Solo Les Sables, the Artemis fleet has somewhat disbanded, with Nick and Sam trucking across the Atlantic on 23, Nick’s 77 having engine work, Henry’s 37 being repaired after a little bump during a photo shoot, Ollie’s 43 up in Concarneau ahead of the race, and 21 being cleaned in Lorient.
Back out to France with Brian Thompson24 - 04 - 12
On my flight back out to the Artemis ‘Gite’ in Concarneau, waiting in Southampton Airport I bumped into British offshore sailing royalty Brian Thompson.
Marine Industry meets Sailors17 - 04 - 12
Working in the marine industry and being a sailor means that I can see both sides of the coin. It is very useful to make connections with marine companies for your own sailing and as a young sailor working within the industry, its fantastic to work on projects for fellow aspiring and enthusiastic sailors in similar position to myself.
Diversions to France02 - 04 - 12
After two weeks of hard work and late hours building new sails at the Doyle UK loft, it was time to head over to our new home in Lorient.
Measuring up for a new suit of sails26 - 03 - 12
This weekend I had a day off to see my family and most importantly, go up to London and get measured for a suit for my sister’s summer wedding. While the nice chap strapped the tape measure round my neck and waist getting all my particulars, my thoughts wondered to the parallels between his job and mine as a sailmaker.
My first official solo offshore race - The Solo Figaro Massif Marine 201220 - 03 - 12
The start of my first Figaro race was preceded with a week of boat preparation and checking that 21 was ‘street legal’ to race under the strict class rules.
Les Sables d’Olonne practice race13 - 03 - 12
On the 7th March, Henry, Ollie and I set off on an over night practice race in preparation for the Solo Figaro Massif Marine. We raced around two islands, one off La Rochelle and one North of Les Sables covering a section of the route we will take, starting from Les Sables d’Olonne on the 15th March.
Foggy Yachtmasters and Les Sables d’Olonne07 - 03 - 12
Back in the UK for the final time before my race in Les Sables, I managed to fit in doing my Yachtmasters exam around work.
As the tourists move in, we move out27 - 02 - 12
Through the winter it certainly felt like Figaro town with us and the other French sailors being the main presence around the harbour. But now its tourists, sailing schools and jet skis, just in time to leave.
Name that Penguin!!20 - 02 - 12
This week it was time to learn from the specialists at TEEM. These electronics gurus have worked on or for most of the Figaro fleet so know our systems inside out. After a few talks as well as demos and troubleshooting on their Figaro in a suitcase style simulator, we were well versed on what we can really do with the systems.
A Baptism of Ice13 - 02 - 12
With the Solo Les Sables fast approaching I decided to schedule in my first bit of overnight sailing over the weekend between training at CEM. With a forecast of -5degC and wind expected to be upwards of 25knots at times the original plan for a 12 hour excursion to Marseille and back, didn’t look too favourable for my first overnight adventure.
Back Down to LGM for the last Time06 - 02 - 12
So after just managing to evade the disrupted public transport and take off from the snow cover runways of South London, I am back down in La Grande Motte.
Winter Gym Work and Back on the water in the UK23 - 01 - 12
So back in the UK for a few working weeks now to help out in the loft with winter servicing and new sail builds.
2012 - Start as we mean to go on…solo16 - 01 - 12
So a new year and now we are total focused on solo training down in La Grande Motte.
Freeze Dried Christmas04 - 01 - 12
Back for the Christmas break, but still plenty to do. Firstly doing the rounds and catching up with family, explaining what I had been up to in France…(they should really read my blog!) and consuming vast amounts of festive food.
Multi-Gyms and Hot Tuna19 - 12 - 11
On our first day of double handed training we were blessed with a sunny day and a 25-30 knots Mistral, just what we came to La Grande Motte for.
Double-Handed Training and Embarrassing Mothers!11 - 12 - 11
It felt like a week that would never end with the longly anticipated Channel4 programme of our trials scheduled for Saturday morning.
Training away from La Grande Motte05 - 12 - 11
With the Paris Boat Show and no official training, the sunset on training at La Grande Motte for the first time, most of us have opted for a week back home, some to relax, see family and friends and some to work.
The First Few Weeks of the ARTEMIS OFFSHORE ACADEMY!23 - 11 - 11
And so it begins.
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