Atlantic ocean adventure for Groby residents

June 2014 For days last month the media was focussed on the fate of the yacht Cheeki Rafiki. The 40ft yacht is thought to have run into trouble around 620 miles east of Cape Cod on 15 May. The four crew members were was sailing back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua. Hopes of finding them faded when the capsized vessel was found with its life raft still on board.

Following a UK petition signed by 200,000 people and pressure from the British government the US Coast Guard had resumed its search having previously suspended it after scouring 4,000 square miles of the Atlantic.

For most readers the news story was another tragedy at sea, but for some it was of more significance. A team which included local residents were braving those seas as well, taking part in a Trans-Atlantic yacht race called the ARC Europe, on board the Ballytrim.

Yachts sailing under the flags of 13 different nations set sail on Saturday May 3rd for their offshore adventures as part of two World Cruising Club Spring rallies: ARC Europe and ARC USA. Venturing west to east across the Atlantic, 34 boats sailed with ARC Europe this year; 7 from Portsmouth, Virginia, USA and 25 from the British Virgin Islands, with one joining in Bermuda. Both groups converged in Bermuda to continue their ocean adventure to Europe and enjoy a cruise through the mid-Atlantic Azores archipelago en route. The Cheeki Rafiki was not part of the ARC Rally.

One of the team with the local connection was Alistair Cooper, Chairman of the Community Interest Company(CIC) that bought the meadow on Newtown Linford Lane. “The first leg began on the 3rd May from the British Virgin Islands to Bermuda,” Alistair explained. “I took part in this together with Geoff Ford, a CIC shareholder and former resident of Groby, together with another retired Police Officer Les Milner and the yacht owner. We covered the 860 miles in just under five days and were the first mono-hull yacht to arrive in Bermuda. Once the handicaps were worked out, we were second in our class.”

Second leg longer

The second leg, from Bermuda to Horta in the Azores, was nearly 1000 miles longer. “The crew this time consisted of myself, Geoff Ford, Tony Onions a CIC committee member, Les Milner and Laurie Cox, a retired Fire Officer with Leicestershire Fire Search and Rescue who lives in Markfield.”

The team left Bermuda on May 14th and had a mixed weather pattern. “Having been advised to take the southerly route, we hit the edge of a low pressure system which resulted in winds of over 41 knots (47 mph) and those yachts that had headed north quickly turned south. This was the storm that resulted in the loss of the yacht Cheeki Rafiki and her four crew. They were not part of the ARC but had left Antigua around the same time.”

Alistair and the rest of the crew are justifiably proud of their performance. “Once again we were the first mono-hull to arrive in the Azores, arriving at 4.00 am on Monday 26th May, eleven and a half days after we left Bermuda. We achieved second place again after handicap adjustments,” he said.

Tony, Laurie and Alistair had to return to the UK on May 31st, so they missed the welcome reception and prize giving for the Bermuda to Azores leg. They were represented by Geoff and Les who sailed back from the Azores with the yacht owner and a fourth crew member.

Don't think this is a tale of a group of guys jumping in a boat and sailing the Atlantic, as between them the team have a lot of experience at sea. “Geoff has been the full time skipper of Ballytrim for several years, when he is not travelling,” Alistair explained. “Tony is a qualified sailing instructor and has completed in many national and some International events. Les is a dinghy instructor. Laurie and I have taken part in a few yacht deliveries, the Swan World Cup and the St Tropez race week. Laurie has also taken part in the Fastnet Race.”

The photo shows the crew after their arrival in Horta, Azores, L-R Laurie, Tony, Les, Alistair and Geoff.