Bart's Bash (Guiness record sailing event)

[Aldebaran_III]

Sailing tomorrow in the Bart's Bash. Worldwide Guiness record attempt for biggest ever combined sailboat race.
In honour of Andrew (Bart) Simpson.
We'll be sailing our Horizon Cat (Aldebaran III). I wish the organizers luck for working out our handicap!

http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/what-is-barts-bash

http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/race-entries?combine=&field_boat_class_tid=&title=&field_country_tid=2097

Wish us luck.?

Derek and Marilyn

[Aldebaran_III]

So, the race took place last Sunday in very windy conditions. We got the required 25+ boats to contribute to the Guinness record. Last I heard the record had been granted but the results are still coming in. It takes a long time to gather the results from thousands of clubs worldwide, especially when they have to generate handicaps for unrated boats like the Horizon Cat.
We sailed the whole race reefed, didn't break anything and didn't come last. The whole thing was great fun, a real mixed fleet from Optimists to Lasers to Jeanneau Sunfast 20's.

http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/news/bart%E2%80%99s-bash-sets-a-new-guinness-world-record-as-the-largest-sailing-race-ever-held

It was also a rare opportunity to get pictures of our HC under sail in boisterous conditions (my thanks to the photographer and the organizers at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/122150513@N02/15145145798
https://www.flickr.com/photos/122150513@N02/15145204397
https://www.flickr.com/photos/122150513@N02/15331850605

Derek and Marilyn

[Salty19]

Very, very cool! How nice that must of been to attend such a legendary race. Your Horizon Cat must of been the only of it's kind in the race! That's worth a trophy, right there.

And wow, all the kids out there in the mix.  Not being introduced to sailing until my 30's, I wish my experiences go back as far as these little sailors.
I bet they had an absolute ball.

A few pics forward of your first picture link has you in the background too. Heeled over hard, and wishing another reef was tied,  I imagine!

[wes]

Whoa, Derek, those are some awesome pics. My wife would be breathing into a paper bag if she ever saw that angle of heel. Rail in the water, indeed. You guys look cool as cucumbers though.

Wes

[Aldebaran_III]

Truth be told, there were more than a few screams from the admiral! But she's a good sport and stuck it out till the end of the race.
We're solidly back into cruising mode now, sheets eased, sailing flat(tish), drinks in hand. I don't think we'll do it again soon, but it was fun as a one off.
Derek and Marilyn

[Saluki86]

Great pics!!!  I have to echo what Salty said.....wow.....look at all the kids!!!  Fantastic.  Everyone at my marina are AARP members.  You were really sailing on the edge too.  My wife would never go with me again if I did that! ha.  Looks like a great day.

[Bob23]

I can only echo what the others have said. Thanks for the great pics. Yeah, she sure was heeled over but did it always feel safe and under control?
Bob23