Whistle up the Wind

Very beautiful, very expensive, classic boats surrounded the Rosa. Moored stern to the dock, she lay with Lone Fox to port, Stormy Weather to starboard, and both Sincerity and Gaia ahead. What Rosa lacked in varnish, gleaming fittings, elegance and speed, she made up for with enthusiasm and superb seamanship.

The sweat was visible on the brows of the owners and captains of the classics surrounding us as, each day we sailed off the dock, then sailed back onto the dock at the end of the race. Rosa hardly ever used her engine.

Our crew was varied each day. If you wanted a sail, ask Spike the skipper. The square-rigger Picton Castle had arrived on the day of the first race. Built in 1928, she was on her 5th circumnavigation with her sail training crew of 45. We took most of them over the last three races!

Even with all sails set - Jib, staysail, topsail, gaff main, gaff mizzen, and spinnaker – Rosa was not able to match the speed of the others in the light winds. Whistle up the wind was the cry, and whistle we did - and guitars, djembi, fiddle, and banjolin too. Music played each day from our decks as we sailed around the racecourse. Back on the dock the music played again, both day and night too. This was the best fun I had ever had racing!

Everybody knew the Rosa. The cheers that went up as they passed us met with cheers from us in return.

We didn’t feature in the top three places, nor the bottom three either. We actually failed to finish a single race! Come the prize giving though, it was Rosa who walked away with the coveted prize, Spirit of the Regatta.

Race week looms. I shall be on a Nakesa, Swan 57. It will be a different!