Monday 2nd September 2002
Matt & I moved on to Disco Inferno2 on the 15th August, so just over 2 weeks have passed and the hangovers from last weekend have slowly vanished and we are well settled in Club de Mar, Palma del Majorca. The weather has been a mix of intensely hot days and ridiculous downpours of rain and electrical storms. Despite this our tans are renewing themselves once more.
So Cowes Week 2002, what a giggle... We had a few new additions to Team Disco, Tim, Pete, Anna, Starsky, Will, Jude, Suzy, Mark D, Tim2 & Karolyna, not all on the same day but all part of the Team. Anna, Tim & Pete & Starsky joined us on the first weekend. Friday night started around 6.30 in the Pier View, the rain was trying to change this but we stuck it out and went on to the beer tent for steak sandwiches & cornish pasties. With a big weekend ahead we retired before the bar and just before the rain. Saturday morning we were presented with our Disco Shirts sponsored by Raymarine. The weather was looking a little uncertain and by 4pm we weren't even half way through our course, soaked through to the skin and becalmed by the lack of wind. Our Tactian, Bob, laid down the choices and it was a unanimous decision, BEER TENT was the winner. Then Bob kindly invited us up to his for fish and chips and a cheese board for dinner to keep us out of the rain. We were also joined by Shoulders - Clarke who donned a Disco Inferno Shirt to feel part of the team. Then off we went back to the beer tent, after several downpours of rain and everyone charging for cover a few of us headed back for rest, while the beer monsters stayed out a little longer.
Sunday brought a great day of racing the wind was holding the rain had temporarily vanished and we were working as a great team, this was what racing is all about. So we've 2 marks left to go, we've played the holes in the breeze, we're looking good, then there was a tearing noise, the number one which should hold to 14knots made it to 11. A fast change was made to the number 2 and a flash one handed bowline was made by Tim. We were off charging back for the finish. Unfortunately the Prima fleet is a close fleet so when something happens you will normally lose over a place. We didn't care, we were heroes, Anna had the bruises to prove it! Sunday night saw the arrival of Marc the Swimmer and we ventured to Alamo, hmmm, it won't be on the list for next year, from dodgy service to average food, however they did only charge us for 2 bottles of wine rather than 12. Feeling a little disappointed I headed back for the night and watched those party animals head to their doom. Oh Yes, they ended up in Submerged the nightclub drinking Rum & Coke, devil's drink, they were all a little poorly on Monday as the postponement flag was raised and eventually the day's racing was abandoned.
Monday evening saw the departure of the weekend crew, the arrival of the Cabbie and the long awaited arrival of Suzy & Jude who managed to get on the slow ferry, we met them in Submerged but left at a reasonable hour.
Tuesday was an eventful day as there was just the 7 of us onboard, 4 of which hadn't sailed on a Prima before. Well I don't even know where it all began. But we seemed to be doing well and as we came down to the mark we were watching the boat to our port side who broached and shot off so we didn't have to worry about them, then came the call to blow the spinnaker, then the call came again but it was stuck, the spinnaker wasn't coming down. After 'Sort It' becoming phrase of the day, Marc went up the mast, the Spinnaker came down and Mark then let go, all we could see was a body hitting the mainsail as he flung back and forth, we all laugh about it now but it was quite terrifying at the time, Marc came down looking extremely battered but Will gave them the choice to go back or finish, they opted to finish, were they mad!!! We finished the race beat 3 other boats we were Rockstars!!
Wednesday & Thursday were our days of rest with just myself, Matt & Marc to watch the racing and enjoy the day's social events! Thursday night, Mark D, Tim & Karolyna arrived, with Starsky, Hutch, Scotty & Anna arriving that morning, another fun day on the water, although it was a little wet... Friday night at the Corinthian was great fun, especially as we avoided the Crew Ball the night before! Saturday our last race made the week worthwhile, Hutch was promoted to Tactian and made a few good calls which made us well placed in the fleet. Saturday night saw the arrival of Mr & Mrs Wide a pleasure as always. One last trip to the Beer tent and then finally left the Island Sunday lunchtime.
Go on to The Bank Holiday Weekend on DI2
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