First sail of 2009

2009 has already brought novice and experienced, plus those in between, Welsh sailors together as part of the Challenge Wales project. So, what is Challenge Wales? Challenge Wales is a project of Maiden Voyage Ltd, a Welsh based charity dedicated to providing young people, and the young at heart, with a chance to develop team working and communication skills through the experience of offshore sailing.

After breaking through the unexpected layer of ice on the Ely River and locking out of Cardiff Bay barrage, the first sail of 2009 gave us cold, light airs.

Most of the 18 crew had not sailed a 72 ft 'Round the World' yacht before. Of course, the basic principles are the same as sailing much smaller boats except you soon realise how much heavier the mainsail is to hoist. Taking a couple of crew to pull the main halyard (the rope that hoists the mainsail) with two on the winch to bring the mainsail to its full height. After the Christmas and new year frivolities it seemed the physical activity was welcomed.

With the mainsail, staysail and yankee set, we sailed past Flat Holm as we headed down channel and after a few hours returned to Cardiff. The light airs didn't dampen anyones enthusiasm but made it more apparent of the potential of the boat, which could be achieved with more adrenalin pumping, stronger wind conditions.

Over the coming months there will be regular training trips on Challenge Wales as she prepares for the Tall Ships' Race in the Baltic in July 2009 and other sailing events. We will keep you posted in this blog of her activity and share log extracts as her career as a sail training vessel develops.