The Biscay Triangle Rally positions at 1800hrs on 22nd July were in the English Channel, heading towards Ushant and then across the Bay of Biscay.

And so the 2008 Biscay Triangle got under-way at 1000. It was a brilliantly clear morning with bright sunshine and flat seas. The smell of the sun-screen was strong as the Chairman of Torbay Council, Michael Hytche, and his wife Elizabeth walked the pontoons of Torquay Marina to bid the crews a fond farewell. The crews were all up and about, busying themselves for the “off”; there was no trace of hangover or morning blues from the excellent party they had had the night before in the Royal Torbay Yacht Club.

Councillor Hytche had ended the evening before with an excellent speech which had the crews in stitches. Mind you, his words of caution and mention of their bravery in the face of dangers to come, had many reaching for their cell-phones to book their train fares home! The Royal Torbay YC lived up to its well-deserved reputation and laid on an excellent meal, which was much appreciated by the rally. Sadly, this looks like the last time that the rally will enjoy the ministrations of Roger Porteus, as he is due to retire from his post as club secretary this September. Next year, perhaps he might even join the numbers of those setting forth to La Coruña!

Clear skies and flat seas do not make for good sailing weather. So, on the start line, most yachts had a truly cruising outlook and set off with just their mainsails up and engines running. That did not stop the competitive spirit, and Caduceus was raring away to be first across the line, hotly followed by the rest of the fleet, tightly bunched as they set off south for Berry head. Only Zigzag, with true Corinthian spirit, and much élan, set forth under full sail. They managed to find sufficient wind to get them a good enough turn of speed, but they will have to zig and zag a fair amount to get them down the Devon coast; may they continue to have sufficient wind for the rest of the route across Biscay.

Light winds do not promise fast passage times. However, it will mean that few suffer sea sickness and all yachts should be able to settle comfortably into a pattern of operating for the passage ahead. Gentle weather means they will have time for the 2 competitions which are running on this route, firstly there will be prizes for exceptional photographs taken on passage and secondly there is a sweepstake to guess the time of the fifth yacht to reach harbour in La Coruña. Why the fifth yacht? Well, the speed of the fastest is more predictable and 5 is the middle of the fleet ….. much more of a challenge! We wish them all well. We hope they do not get too sunburnt and that the beer supplies last for the next 5 days. We await news from them en route and look forward to their safe arrival in Spain.