Mariquita Book - mk2.5

SALTY NOTES BY A SALTY SEA DOG
At Antibes 2013 the 15-Metre Mariska, allegedly had all crew fully paid up with 40 plus
days solid practise before the first race. It showed. The helm, a 6-Metre helm, put her spot
on our lee after a flourishing and close port tack 30 seconds before the start gun. “Up, up”
went the call. Up we went … we might be over. Down we went a couple of metres with
a jury rib behind us. We just made it.
Suddenly what had started as a gentle show of classic yachts was clearly now something
else. Safety was still the prime consideration but the bar had been raised significantly.
During the 2013 season on Mariquita, endless videos and sail adjustments had taken
place. What had been a well-oiled safe yacht was now being asked to be a very serious race
boat. The clash of requirements and skills was visceral. In light airs three minutes would
be needed to get up to hull speed. A tack lost minutes not seconds. Keeping movement
and steerage is paramount. Also other smaller boats have no conception of the power,
weight or danger of getting close to a couple of yachting behemoths. Once Shamrock V,
Mariquita, Cambria, Moonbeam III and Moonbeam IV begin their pre-start ballet, the
air to leeward is cut up massively. In a breeze the closing speeds multiply. Knowing each
skipper and helm, and trusting their judgement, is a major part of keeping safe.
Tubby Brook
Guido Cantini
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