The 12 strong Open 60 fleet in the Rolex Fastnet 2005 race had a ‘stop-go’ start as they sailed off the Royal Yacht Squadron line at Cowes in a shifting and gusty breeze. HELLOMOTO, steered over the line by ex-‘Enigma’ Fastnet winning helmsman Ben Cooper, stayed closer to the Island side in stronger following tide, and crossed in the top pack of boats. Despite a slightly unlucky initial transition, where the Northerly gradient wind shifted to a SW sea-breeze and the leaders Pindar Alphagraphics and Ecover were the first to catch this shift and push out a lead, Conrad Humphreys and team were back on pace and in 8th place at the latest position report after hunting down Hugo Boss.

Conrad rang in to update on their progress since the start: “It was a difficult exit out of the Solent when the Northerly gradient wind shifted to the sea breeze and we all got caught up together. The first boats to get that shift are out 5 miles in front of us, but we’re neck and neck with the winning Vendée boat, now called ‘Roxy’, and have Virbac ahead to leeward. We’d hoped to reel in Hugo Boss – Ben’s driving really well – but Skandia, the boat we measure up with has got good pace up ahead. The French boats mostly went inside the North Channel marker and stayed with the Northerly gradient, so Stamm for one is doing well.”

Commenting on the next few hours ahead: “We’re all going upwind, not the favourable angle for these boats, the tide’s with us, but I doubt we’ll get round Portland Bill before it changes. When the sea breeze dies and the Northerly comes back it’s due to go very light after about 7pm tonight. It’ll be a tough call whether to go on the right side of the course or sail offshore to stay in the breeze. Around 8pm tonight we’ll kick into our watch system. I’m on with Simon, and Joff with Ben, Nat is floating between the two. We’re all looking forward to some ready made home-cooked stew for supper tonight!”

Conrad penned his initial thoughts for the first 12 hours of the race in a diary before the off: “The Rolex Fastnet is a tough, tactical race and the early signs are that this race will be no different. The forecast is looking decidedly tricky, with a high pressure ridge set to dominate southern Ireland and drift across the race track. Combine the light forecast and the typically strong tidal currents found on the south coast of England and I think we will see some big splits in the fleet after the first night at sea.

“The first 24 hours of the race in terms of the weather is going to be very interesting. Two years ago the first dozen boats that passed Portland before the tide turned went on to dominate the podium positions. My gut feel is that this race is shaping up to be the same.

“It’s great fun to be sailing with a team again. The last couple of years my focus has been on the solo sailing and there is a big difference between having your team around you on the water rather than on the end of a satellite telephone!”

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