BEN-BDM Fastnet crew qualify for the race
13 August 2007
Stepping outside of your ‘comfort zone’ is a term often spoken about by management training guru’s and theorist’s but to the BEN-BDM crew this had a harsh reality to it when they took part in their second qualifying event for the 2007 Rolex Fastnet.
While the second race, the RORC, (Royal Ocean Racing Club) Channel race, started in relatively comfortable conditions, mother nature had some ‘challenges’ hidden in the Atlantic awaiting to be presented.
The qualifying event set off from Cowes and headed west along the Solent and out into the Channel continuing a westerly path towards Portland Bill. Right up until the fall of darkness, the wind had been ‘healthy at 18 to 22 knots’ but with the light failing the words came over the radio on the shipping forecast, “Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis, Storm force Seven imminent”
With the predictability of a tax bill the wind steadily grew into the night and by 01.00am on the Sunday morning the winds were reaching 38 knots and in some places peaked at 45 knots. Inevitably issues had to be dealt with on the foredeck of the boat, and in the blackness of the night this was a real test of stamina, with some of the crew up to their waists in water (while standing on the boat)!
Daylight brought a moderation of the wind although it had only marginally weakened until we started tacking back into the Solent for the finishing line off of Portsmouth.
The reality of the conditions which the crew fought against was crystallised when we heard that two boats had sunk that evening within a few miles of our passage.
The finishing line meant the end of the qualifying event and assurance that the crew will be in the start line for the 2007 Fastnet.
Mike Surridge, the organiser commented that “there are some individuals who are really having to dig deep to overcome a combination of the tiredness that is generated by sailing 24/7 and the effects of sea sickness, what really impresses me is that they will all do it and achieve the goal of finishing the race and raising the £9500 for BEN. In some respects the completion of the race is more meaningful to this embryonic crew than to the more experienced crews against who they are going to compete.”
If you want to follow the progress of the boat in the week long Fastnet you can see a daily update on their Blog which is www.benfastnet2007.com
The BEN-BDM team have raised £9500 for BEN through undertaking the monumental challenge of competing in the 608 mile Fastnet race, a pursuit which has a fearsome reputation. Charles Davis, Director of BEN’s Fundraising & Communications, commented “Mike Surridge, has led the team in this event and I would like to thank him and all those who have put so much effort into raising the funds including NGK, Peugeot finance and the AA who represent 5 of the 8 sponsored crew.
The BDM-BEN team is made up of the following individuals:
Katie Gibson - On-time Auto
Daniel Roswell - Peugeot Finance
Keith Wall - NGK
John Kinchin - AA
Terry Driscall - AA
Peter Brown - AA
Melonie Cole - AA
Kathleen Strange - AA
Alan Morgan - Skipper
Alasdair Pearson - First Mate
