Frans Big Adventure - June Update
by Antony Gifford 18 Jun 2010 10:40 BST
May - July 2010
Frances Gifford on her 'Big Adventure' © Richard Barker
Experienced dinghy racer Frances Gifford, has now completed the Welsh stage of her circumnavigation of the British mainland. Frances set off from Waldringfield, Suffolk on May 15th and is sailing her 16 foot Wayfarer dinghy 'Viper' with a long list of crew - each joining her for part of her journey. She is expecting to cut through the Caledonian Canal to avoid the risks of sailing a dinghy around the North coast of Scotland.
If you have been wondering where some of the other top dinghy sailors in the country have been at times this summer, then you should read the blog entries for periods of this adventure when Fran has been joined by Sophie Mackley (National 12 champion 2009), Toby Lewis (probably the best crew in the country), Tim Harrison (current B14 champion) and now Alex Jackson (Merlin class chairman and favourite to be champion crew 2010).
Tobytastic is credited for demanding he finish lunch before putting the kite up – something he would never get away with on the race course, he then cleated both sheet and guy (something for his regular helms to look forward to)! Rumour has it the current B14 champion, Tim Harrison, insisted on taking a few detours to enjoy the view – what this says about B14 sailors we will never know!
Frances said yesterday:
“To be honest when I set off on May 15th I had no idea how far this adventure would really take me, it has only been in the last week that I have realised that my goal of sailing the whole way around is something that I can achieve. Lands End was a real milestone, as was the sail this week from Lundy to Tenby and so into the Welsh part of the adventure. So far the weather has been pretty kind, and my various crews have been fantastic, but perhaps the biggest and most positive surprise has been the friendly welcomes and the help that I have received from people that do not know me at every place at which we have come ashore.
It was always my intention to combine this adventure with raising money for two charities that are close to my heart, I just never got around to telling anybody about that part of the plan! The two charities that I am hoping people will support, in supporting me, are the RNLI and Shining Life. The RNLI provides the rescue service that us seafarers know is always there should we get into difficulties. They risk their lives to save ours. I am hoping not to need them. Shining Life Children's Trust is a small charity I am very familiar with that creates sustainable projects in Sri Lanka supporting disadvantaged children and families. “
You can learn more about Fran’s Big Adventure at www.fransbigadventure.com and read her daily blog, track her on the ‘Fran Finder’ and use the link from the website to donate money to her chosen charities.