WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!YIPPPEEEE!!! THEY'VE DONE IT

I am very very pleased indeed to be able to write this and to tell you that Team Concordia and Hot Stuff have finished the Fastnet Race. The crew pulled out all the stops over the last 24 hours (after apparently something I said to them!!!) and Hookie is so proud of all the efforts they put in to make sure that they had a great run home - he said he couldn't have asked for more.
Apparently at Land's End on the way out they hit a hole (weather wise and not literally!!!) which really threw their positioning in the class and unfortunately it was not something they could make up on the way to the Rock but coming back Hot Stuff came into her own proving what a great downhill girl she is and they made up many places and have ended up 31st in class and currently 154th overall but with some boats in other classes to finish that could still change.
I was intrigued to find out about the MOD rations and apparently they were brilliant and Hookie is even thinking of serving the Chicken and Dumpling one at our next dinner party so beware if you're invited - apparently it would be hard to tell that it wasn't freshly cooked!!
The party starts in about 40 minutes and I am sure the lads will be having a glass of sherry or two to celebrate their achievements. A really big congrats to you all and we look forward to your safe return to Cowes on Sunday.
Also a big thankyou from me too for all the support everyone who has been tracking Hot Stuff has given. It's always good to know there's a cracking team shorebased looking out for the team and it's great for the crew to know this as well.
Hopefully the last word on this blog will be from the crew themselves on their return
AGAIN WELL DONE TEAM CONCORDIA AND HOT STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOING TO THE DENTIST MORE FUN THAN THIS?

Pulling teeth without anaesthetic, getting blood out of a stone, sleep deprivation with a newborn, chinese water torture or being made to watch big brother - all of these options seem to be slightly more attractive than the one the poor boys on Hot Stuff are faced with at the moment. I have calculated that in the two hours between 1400 and 1600hrs today they managed to progress 4.27 nautical miles!! Well at least the good news is that they progressed and are still heading in the right direction.
There is nothing worse than after a long race you get becalmed on your way home - you're ready to come on in and it's like your car has just run out of petrol in the middle of nowhere - in Hookie's case on the way to Ullapool after passing the last petrol station with an unimpressed wife as passenger - when that happened he said - it's fine we'll be fine - whether he is playing I-spy or first one to see with the crew at the moment I don't know but what we do know is that they will be watching the sea very carefully and looking up to the sky for any indication of windy hope.
Looking forward to an ETA soon.

UPDATE FROM HOT STUFF

Well it's 1415hrs on Thursday 13th August once again the weather has played it's part in this year's race. The latest update from the crew is that they are currently in a big drift and have been for several hours about 44 miles from the Scilly's. All the crew, as I am sure everyone else reading this is, are really hoping that it fills in soon so that they can get to the finish line.
They had hoped to be in for tomorrow morning but with the latest twist of fate that arrival time has been shot out the window now.
As soon as we hear more or can estimate a time of arrival I shall update the blog again.

Lots of thoughts please of winds pushing the boys home.

QUOTE FROM HOOKIE FROM THE BOAT

After rounding the rock the following quote has been sent through:

"It's big, it's grey but it hasn't beaten us yet. Crew looking forward to a nice run home." Hookie, on board Hot Stuff 1800hrs

ROUNDED THE ROCK

I am really pleased to confirm that Team Concordia and Hot Stuff rounded the Fastnet Rock at 1725hrs. Well done team.

NEARING THE ROCK

Team Concordia are nearing the Fastnet Rock still amongst the pack although seems that the weather has not been fair to them and they have slipped a few places. I am sure once they have turned the corner to return to Plymouth they will endeavour to claw their way back up. Either way they have done really well and are still mid fleet so should be really pleased.
I am sure we will be notified as soon as they have rounded and I am trying to see if we can get a few quotes from the guys on board if they have time.
ICAP Leopard took line honours this morning but didn't manage to break their record of last time.

ROUNDED LANDS END

The crew of Team Concordia aboard Hot Stuff have safely passed Land's End this morning and are now heading over the Irish Sea to the Fastnet Rock. The light winds of the night have meant that their position has slipped slightly but it looks as though they have taken a tactical decision on the route and hoping that this pays dividends - after all no one wants to be a sheep do they?!!!!
Fingers and toes are crossed that the Irish Sea doesn't throw up any surprises and I look forward to being able to report on their safe rounding of the rock.

RETIREMENTS ALREADY

After just over 30 hours of racing I can report that there have already been two retirements from the race. Team Concordia and Hot Stuff continue to stay mid fleet and should be rounding Plymouth and on their way to the rock by the end of today. Looking at the weather I think it has thrown a few curveballs but I am sure the team are coping admirably. At about the time I write this they should be tucking into their last home cooked meal of the trip and I am hoping that some of the spices I have put in their chilli will give them an extra blast of power as they continue to surge on in this notorious race.
From now on it is mainly MOD ration packs that will keeping them going apart from their wonderful porridge for breakfast kindly sponsored by Grasshopper.
The last update we have was at 1830hrs and they were 107th overall and 21st in IRC1.

LIVE ACTION SHOTS FROM HURST CASTLE

The latest photos on the blog are courtesy of our Musto Watch Leader - Jon Finn's parents who were also at Hurst Castle to support our boys and took these action shots.
As of 0600 hrs today Hot Stuff had leapt from 28th to14th position overnight in their class - keep it going chaps!!

More About the Crew

Many of you reading this may know one crew member on this year's team or maybe you don't know any of them - well now that you can feel as though you know them all a little bit here is some information we gathered on who they are and how they are feeling about the Fastnet.

Name: Hookie
Crew Role: Skipper
Day Job: Unemployed but looking to sail boats!
Reason for doing the Fastnet - It keeps begging to be done
Previous Fastnet races - 2003 and 2007
Sailing background - First introduced to sailing by Grandfather in the Western Isles of Scotland. Sailed on and off until 12 and then stopped until mid twenties. Have sailed in various roles since then including Flotilla Skipper, Instructor and Skipper of Lutine, the LLYC boat.
Yacht Clubs - Lloyds of London and Island Sailing Club
Most like about Hot Stuff - Fast and a lovely big wheel
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Maker her bigger - fancy a 47.7!
Other views and comments - To aim to finish safely and in the mix

Name: Paul May
Crew Role: Navigator
Day Job: CEO Concordia Consultancy
Reason for doing the Fastnet - Challenge of doing the race in a small fast yachtPrevious Fastnet races - 1999 and 2005Sailing background - Navy section of school CCF, Dinghies, Offshore and Ocean 45,ooo sea miles
Yacht Clubs - Past Commodore Lloyds of London and RORC
Most like about Hot Stuff - Excellent team spirit
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Shower

Name: Andy Milne
Crew Role: Watch Leader
Day Job: Director Corporate Relations, Marine Society and Sea Cadets
Reason for doing the Fastnet - To find out where the Fastnet Rock is and it's a challenge
Previous Fastnet races - No only internet
Sailing background - Caribbean, Norway, Russia and Thames
Yacht Clubs - Lloyds of London
Most like about Hot Stuff - Speed and Crew
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - The other watch!

Name: Jon Finn
Crew Role: Watch Leader of Musto Watch
Day Job: IT Manager
Reason for doing the Fastnet - Addicted to sailing
Previous Fastnet races - 1997, 1999, 2007
Sailing background - 50,000 + miles of coastal, offshore and ocean sailing
Yacht Clubs -
Most like about Hot Stuff - The crew
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - New headsails and spinnakers
Other views and comments - Skip is great!!

Name: Dapo Ladimeji
Crew Role: Watch Member
Day Job: Principal international tax consultancy
Reason for doing the Fastnet - Something new, different and challenging
Previous Fastnet races - No
Sailing background - Cruising west coast of Scotland, some dinghy, some solent courses
Yacht Clubs - Lloyds of London and London Corinthian Sailing Club
Most like about Hot Stuff - Fellow crew
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Radar

Name: Julian Brown
Crew Role: Musto Watch
Day Job: Finance
Reason for doing the Fastnet - Experience and heavy weather traning - forecast very light!!
Previous Fastnet races - None
Sailing background - Dinghy, Sigma 33 Winter Series, Cowes week
Yacht Clubs - Chichester
Most like about Hot Stuff - Crew!!
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff -
Other views and comments - Looking forward to it - Carpe Diem

Name: Graham Spark
Crew Role: Non Musto Watch Member
Day Job: IT & Hotelier
Reason for doing the Fastnet - Wanted something that was more of a challenge than the cross channel races
Previous Fastnet races - Did the qualifying races for the 2007 Fastnet but had to pull out 2 weeks before race due to work
Sailing background - raced dinghys as teenager, Bareboat charters and racing with LLYC
Yacht Clubs - Lloyds of London
Most like about Hot Stuff - Responsiveness and the opportunity to share a cabin with my shipmates
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Stock the beer fridge more often

Name: Tim Ashford
Crew Role: Watch Member
Day Job: IT Tech
Reason for doing the Fastnet - Fancied a bit of a blast
Previous Fastnet races - 1999
Sailing background - 1 Transat, various boat deliveries and few RORC races
Yacht Clubs - Lloyds of London
Most like about Hot Stuff - The 20.5 knots
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Shower

Name: Charlie Thomas
Crew Role: Musto Watch Member
Day Job: Fund Manager
Reason for doing the Fastnet - The challenge, the lack of sleep and some propert offshore sailing
Previous Fastnet races - First but hopefully not the last
Sailing background - Cat sailing (Inter 20), sailing holidays in the Med
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Will wait until we have finished the race before making a comment
Other views and comments - Let's finish in the top quartile of our class

Name: Mark Birrell
Crew Role: Musto Watch Member
Day Job: Chief Executive Software Company
Reason for doing the Fastnet - The challenge and opportunity to test my sailing ability
Previous Fastnet races - none
Sailing background - Dinghy sailing when younger, Day Skipper 2002 and more each year since then.
Yacht Clubs - Lloyds of London
Most like about Hot Stuff - The comaradary of the team
One thing I would change on Hot Stuff - Musto gear compulsory for all!!

TEAM CONCORDIA BEGIN THE RACE

As the end of another Cowes week drew to a close the hustle and bustle of the marinas was kept alive with the preparations of many yachts for the biggest race of the week - the Fastnet.
As many boats departed for home those who had taken part in racing during the week and were based in Cowes were busy working away at preparing their boats for the race. The atmosphere around the marinas was interesting with those who were perhaps first timers thinking that this was just another jolly out to sea whilst others who had taken part in the race before were more apprehensive and nervous knowing what could and may be thrown at them in one of the more unpredictable races.
This year's race was oversubscribed and was particularly poignant as it is the 30th anniversary of the devestating effects that the weather had on the 1979 race. This in turn led to the 24 hour delay of the 2007 Fastnet race which was the first delay race officers had put in place in the race's history. No weather warnings were in place this morning however, as the sun shone done on the onlookers whilst the breeze kept everyone chilled as they watched with eagerness from the Royal Yacht Squadron.
The first fleet to set off were the Open 60's who left at midday and were passing Hurst Castle about an hour and a half later. Hot Stuff and the IRC1 class were started at 1300hrs and they got away to a good start. It was a Spinnnaker start and a beautiful sight to behold as the brightly coloured sails were hoisted in the air amid the smoke of the RYS canon. Hot Stuff wearing her heart on her sleeve - oops I mean spinnaker was clearly visible in the mix as she crossed the line. As most of the crew were wearing their bright red gilets they were easily seen as they sailed away down towards the Needles.
The next sighting was at Hurst Castle by Abi Hillier - our Grasshopper sponsor and her husband Ed - an old hand at the Fastnet himself and Hookie's Mum and her partner who reported the crew giving them a huge wave as they sailed through at a good speed.
Next stop Plymouth and as of this mornings predictions they should arrive at 0217hrs on Friday morning - which will please Hookie as they'll be in time for the party!!!
Good luck to the crew and safe sailing