Please select your home edition
Edition
Feb-Nov23 Leaderboard Revolve2
Product Feature
Upffront.com - Facnor FX+2500 Continuous line furler
Upffront.com - Facnor FX+2500 Continuous line furler

James Hardiman Blog 3: Solo sailing and race preparation issues...

by James Hardiman 2 May 2018 16:00 BST
James sailing with his son at Club Mayotte, Bordeaux © Ocean Elements

I've had the most disappointing start to a race season in the last 10 years! I seem to be plagued with boat problems, which is not a new phenomenon in the world of yacht racing but at least many readers of have sent supportive messages. So, thank you.

As a re-cap, this blog is an insight to my solo racing campaign. For which I intend to take a new (but 16 year old) race boat, set her up from scratch and race an entire offshore series with SORC (Solo Offshore Racing Club) which includes the SoloFASTNET in June.

Readers may remember my three hurdles: I'm recovering from major shoulder surgery, I have no boat (she's in Holland undergoing a major rebuild), and I'm not exactly time-rich being the MD of a largish skiing and sailing holiday company, Alpine Elements.

Apologies for the radio silence [since my last blog] but frankly, I've got little to report - having done almost no sailing or significant race prep, (as the boat in question is still laid up ashore), I find myself in a disconcerting position with my first offshore race a little over two weeks away. Will I make the start line?

First: The shoulder

On a happy note, I'm making a good recovery from my rotator-cuff surgery and after seven months of rehab it's still feeling weak but I'm getting back into sports again. Last weekend I decided to chance my 'first sail' since the op in September in my racing dinghy. I tentatively took my RS100 out for a light wind spinnaker session (see my attached photo) which was a nerve wracking session but at least I feel like a 'sailor' again.

Buoyed by this achievement, I took the executive decision to enter a race the next day at my local club, North Devon Yacht Club, Instow, mainly because I've entered the Blaze Nationals in June but I've never actually sailed a Blaze before! Notice the theme here? Clearly I need the practice... So I managed to borrow a Blaze to get learning the boat and came away with a respectable 7th and no major shoulder troubles in spite of nearly being thrown out of the boat a few times. So far, top marks to the surgeon!

Second: the race boat

Sadly, the prep for my new (old) J-105 is not going so well and is a month behind schedule. Fluke IV should be safely tucked up in Hamble by now, having her final race prep for the start of the solo inshore series this weekend. Instead she's still in Holland where I bought her last October receiving major surgery in pretty much every area.

I will now miss the first inshore races which would've been a more sensible inauguration for her to the world of offshore racing, but what can I do? Since my target is to race a full offshore campaign, I'll have to be satisfied just to make it to the start line for the first offshore race on May 11th. If I make it, then she'll be far from ready – still waiting on the delivery of sails (!) and a computer-generated IRC number.

Third: North Sea delivery

I'm planning to sail Fluke IV back across the North Sea during the next two weeks. She's had a lot of hull work, brand new rigging, complete new electric system, all-new navigation equipment and a new engine and gearbox - so the yard have rightly advised me to test the boat before sailing her back. All that seems to remain of the original boat are the settee cushions and the loo! Well, at least that's two less things to test...

Next blog...

My next blog entry in two weeks should be a little more interesting after I've managed to (hopefully) bring her to Blighty... wish me luck!

www.oceanelements.com

Related Articles

The Proving Ground
Why the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS is such an important regatta The end of an Olympic quadrennial cycle often brings sailing campaigns to an end. Some partnerships in doublehanded classes split, with helm and crew going their separate ways, while others use the time to reflect on their future. Posted on 1 Apr
The most important job in sailing
How Nick Scott is delivering radical change to competitive sailing pathways in the UK I am putting forward that falls to Nick Scott and his team. Namely to secure its competitive future by addressing challenges and delivering radical change while bringing people on that journey with him. Posted on 31 Mar
Revealing the Secrets of the 'Impossible' XR 41
An out and out race yacht, but also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior The XR 41 from X-Yachts was quite a departure from what they'd been doing for the last 15 years: concentrating on high-end Performance Racing Cruisers. This is an out and out race yacht, but it's also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior. Posted on 27 Mar
Going to publish the 'F' word – Again!
Clearly, there are lots of young sailors out there looking to add a load of fun to their sailing Now we published the first one back in June last year. It did really well, thank you. Very much appreciated. Clearly, there are lots of young sailors out there looking to add a load of fun to their sailing, and are keen to get into the foiling world. Posted on 23 Mar
RYA influences MCA's changes to regulations
Interview with Niall McLeod to see how Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice affects us The RYA have been working closely with the the government to make sure that new regulations for leisure vessels are not too restrictive. It seems that any group which operates a "coded" vessel should be thankful. Posted on 18 Mar
No more excuses
2025 is all about the club sailors, the weekend warriors, the open meeting stalwarts I was wondering if things were going to slow down in sailing after the huge events of 2024, namely the Olympics, America's Cup and Vendée Globe but, if anything, they've speeded up. Posted on 17 Mar
The oldest video footage of sailing in Ireland
A look back into our video archive, from 1926 to 1980 As we prepare for St Patrick's Day tomorrow, let us direct our exploration of the video archive towards anything Irish. We have discovered several videos from Ireland, starting as early as the 1920s! Posted on 16 Mar
Two boats. Same Direction.
You know the deal… It means there's a race on. You know the deal… It means there's a race on. So, the second South Pacific Superyacht Rendezvous is set for August 26 to 29, 2025. If it is even half as much fun and interesting as the first one, then it will bolster its burgeoning reputation. Posted on 9 Mar
The 600 Sweet Spot
The world of offshore racing is booming around the world The world of offshore racing is booming around the world. Record entries, some of the world's fastest yachts and highest profile campaigns, and a plethora of Corinthian teams have the 'classics' on their bucket list. Posted on 4 Mar
Inaugural Fast Women's Switch Training Camp
Some of the best sailors in the world gathered in Thailand The first ever Fast Women's Switch Training Camp took place at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Thailand, attracting some of the best sailors in the world, fresh from competing in the Australia Sail Grand Prix. Posted on 4 Mar