VESTAS SAILROCKET finishes 2nd record attempt with a century run... (in homage to Bernard Smiths 100th birthday.)

Yesterday was a bit strange for me as the mood changed from a record breaking mode to a more reflective one. It also marked the end of a record session plagued by winds that always seemed to be just not quite right.

We went out to speed-spot as it was our final day of this two month record period as we didn’t want to miss any opportunity. I knew the odds for setting records were against us. Strong winds weren’t forecast but we had to leave no stone unturned.

There was another element. For all I know now, these might be the last runs that this boat does on this course. Now of course nothing is for certain. If the best way forward for us is to push on here with this boat then we WILL, as a team, make it happen... but that is to be decided later with all relevant parties present. For us down here at the coal-face... yesterday was a chance to just go out, give it a good bash... and enjoy the wonderful boat which we have nurtured into becoming one of the fastest sailing craft on the planet.

Seeing as this month will see in the 100^th birthday for Bernard Smith, the conceptual father of our wonderful boat, I was keen to post our 100^th run as a sort of homage. We had done 98 runs down this gorgeous course and I was also determined not to do a ‘Bradman’. For those of you not familiar with Donald Bradman, he was a legendary Australian cricket player who was a wizard batsman throughout the Depression (the other one) and on to 1948. On his last appearance he only needed to score 4 runs to record a career average of 100 runs... nearly twice that of any rival batsman. He received a huge and extended ovation as he took the field which left him quite emotional. On only his second ball he was bowled out for a ‘duck’ (no runs). The great man left the game with a career average of 99.94 runs. Later in the change rooms as he took of his cricket pads he was left to remark ‘Gee Whiz, fancy doing that’. Even if we didn’t get good conditions I was keen to post 100 runs of our own.

So as we wheeled VESTAS SAILROCKET out of her soft hangar I reflected on all the other times we had done just this, all the people that have helped us and all the dreams and aspirations that had gone with each appearance. I took note of all the modifications and repairs and what they represented. The trip across the lagoon entrance to speed-spot was pretty quiet. So speed-spot was in fine form as the wind gusted up to 20 knots. The sun was shining and a mist of sand was blowing across the beach at just the right angle. I knew it wasn’t strong enough for records but decided to have one more shot at the mile just in case we got lucky. It would give me more time to enjoy the boat as well.

I made an effort to explain all aspects of the run to the onboard camera throughout the run. The run went perfectly considering the mild conditions. We hit a peak of 44.65 knots, did 41.12 over the 500 meter course and only 39.12 knots over the mile. VESTAS SAILROCKET was just cruising effortlessly along seemingly enjoying the run as much as I was. I could have reached out and touched the finishing buoy if I wanted but stood off just a bit (remember Bradman Larso). It was extremely shallow and I must have been clearing the bottom by mere cm’s past the finish line. So that was run 99 done.

Walvis was not going to play ball in the record department. The next run was just for the sake of it. We put the rig up one last time as the African sun set behind us. We were just going to do a short 500 meter run but it still took time to reset the course from the mile. By the time I dropped the tether it was 22 minutes past sundown and getting pretty dark. The PI RESEARCH displays shone brightly and the Walvis Docks were ablaze in the distance. I could barely make out the buoys with the visor up and could hardly see a thing with it down. On my right I could make out the dark shore but couldn’t really tell how far off I was, instead I used some of the shore lights as references. With the wing lightly sheeted we cruised down the course on our hundredth run at just over 30 knots... in the dark. Thus endeth this record session, one that brought little joy.

Once over I actually began to feel more buoyant. We had done all we could and now I can relax for a bit. We can begin to focus purely on the future rather than the constant pressing demands of the present. The roller-coaster had stopped... for now anyway.

We brought VESTAS SAILROCKET home the long way around to avoid the sandbars and I savoured putting her away in one piece and in great shape. She didn’t get champagne but she had my full respect. It’s been my ‘magic carpet’ ride that’s for sure. As much as I consider the boat an inanimate structure, another side of me can’t help but feel that she has gained a soul, simply because we have put so much of our own into her. When I look at her scarred structure it’s like flicking through a photo album, one that still has a few empty pages laying in wait at the back. Like I said, the future is not certain. I know that we haven’t seen the best this boat has to offer however we as a team have limited resources and they have to be managed. Maybe the fastest way to the record will be by putting those resources into future designs. All the cards are not yet on the table so we will see.

So last night we had a big ol’ team dinner at The Raft looking out over the Lagoon and drank late into the night. Today with soggy heads we begin the long process of packing up the operations base and putting VESTAS SAILROCKET to bed. I personally hope she will get another shot at the title when the real winds blow later in the year. In the mean time it’s back over to the Hydroptere and Macquarie boys.

A big thanks to all the sponsors and of course, those who have simply offered help and support throughout the last few months. Fear not, one way or another we will be back and we will be as hungry as ever. Each time we come back we come back stronger... if only the wind was the same!

Cheers, Paul