French Connections

 ONE

A fine drizzle glosses the pavements, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. As I step off the train, on my annual mission to seek a French Visa. That vital ingredient in the heady 'Asterix' potion, which will fuel Stargazer's summer plans.

Back home in Kent, the silhouettes of bare-branched, skeletal trees stand sentry on the horizon. Colours are muted. Sunlight winter-thin and palid. Soon, though, it will be time to perform the first rite of spring. The bringing of Stargazer ashore, to prepare her for a summer at sea.

TWO

Last May, whilst Stargazer was in Concarneau, the one hundred foot, foiling, Ultim (short for Ultimate) class trimaran 'SVR' was in port. Readying for a single handed, round the world race, against five sister ships. The first time that such a feat has been attempted.

On the seventh of January, the fleet left Brest. Making thirty five to forty knots, as they smoked south, toward the Cape of Good Hope. There SVR struck a UFO (Unidentified Floating Object). The violence of the impact driving her dagger board aft. Slicing open the hull. Watertight bulkheads averted a sinking. But her race was ended. Five competitors fought on in the ‘Big South.' Gitana building a commanding lead, through the windswept wilds of the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties.

Sufficient to enable her skipper, Charles Caudrelier, to back off for thirty six hours, whilst a storm blew through. Before tackling Cape Horn in more benign conditions. Now on the homeward leg, he is nearing Recife. The only one, of the 'flying boats,' not have to pitted to repair damage (predominantly to foils). Now he ekes out his remaining six days' provisions. With the doldrums between him and the finish line.

THREE

The company behind Passeport-Escales is based within the city walls of Vannes. This is a scheme which Stargazer makes extensive use of. It grants five 'free' nights, in each of one hundred and fifty French marinas. In return for allowing others to use the vacant berth, of a boat away on passage, from a participating home marina.

Stargazer, the Passeport-Escales team inform me, has benefitted from more 'free' nights, since my retirement, than any other British boat. They therefore wish to conduct a short interview, for their house magazine 'Pass-Ports.' Its purpose is to publicise the scheme and, as Jean my interviewer explains, "to help people to dream." An endeavour which Stargazer wholeheartedly supports.

Picture Credits:

4.Gitana in flight                        courtesy of  Yann Riou polaRYSE  Gitana SA

5.Gitana rounding Cape Horn   courtesy of  Yann Riou polaRYSE  Gitana SA