A few weeks ago I mentioned that my friend Gus Davidson was setting out as part of the fleet of the 2010 Jester Challenge, a Corinthian race from Plymouth in England across the Atlantic to Newport RI. I am in touch with Gus via e mail and have been keeping a close eye on the progress of the fleet especially Gus. He is doing quite well and is now half way to the Azores. There are several options that it is possible to take, the trade wind route, the north Azores route, the great circle route and the rhumb line route. Most of the fleet it seems are opting for the southern choices which although may be further often gives more favorable winds.
Gus is sailing a modified Golant Gaffer which is the same boat that I have so I am watching the daily log to see how the boat performs. The boat is called Just Right and she was built about 12 years ago, I think, and from the outset Gus had the idea of one day sailing her across the pond. He is raising money for Macmillan, a cancer charity and although I do not have the exact figures in front of me I think that he has so far raised over $250,000.
He is making about 100 miles per day so if he can keep that up he should be on target to make it to Newport for July 4th.
The video at the top shows Gus setting out from Plymouth in light winds and it was not until the 3rd day that he got some decent breeze and was able to put some miles under the keel.
Excellent, Keep us informed of the progress.
Posted by: Fred | September 01, 2010 at 09:07 AM