Dear Jester Challenger or supporter, past, present or future,
Six months ago we weren’t sure whether it would be possible to run any sort of Jester Challenge this year, so we are very pleased to have managed, against considerable odds, to have ended up with two events completed.
The replacement for the Jester Baltimore Challenge, the (hopefully one-off) Jester 51/8 Challenge, brought fleets from Plymouth and Pwllheli together at Milford Haven, more or less simultaneously. There was a severe problem of lack of wind, especially for the Plymouth yachts, which forced a number of retirements. Despite that, four yachts from each starting point completed the course. Many thanks to the indefatigable Roger Fitzgerald for organising the Pwllheli end with his usual efficiency.
A special dispensation to use Praia da Vitoria as our port of entry into the Azores enabled us to continue the Jester Azores Challenge tradition of sailing directly to that friendly harbour. Covid regulations reduced the number of starters, especially from abroad, but this in no way took the shine off the event. There were a number of notable firsts. French participant Christian Gallot, in Kalevala, started from Plymouth without having set foot on English soil. All nine yachts that crossed the start line at Plymouth completed the passage. Last, but by no means least, Duncan Lougee, in Minke, covered the last four or five hundred miles with no rudder, ably assisted by George Arnison in Good Report, who towed Minke, under sail, for a good portion of that distance.
Special thanks are due to Captain Paulo da Silva, the Praia da Vitoria port captain, who was instrumental in gaining permission for us to sail directly there, and who also liaised closely with Delgada MRCC during Minke and Good Report’s ten and a half day self-rescue.
Fuller reports on both events are available on the Jester Challenge website
A final thankyou too to Charles Bush of Mayflower Marina and Sally of Jolly Jack’s, both of whose support and generosity were a big factor in getting the Challenges off to a good start.
The completion of both events means that we are now back to our usual schedule, and planning has now begun for next year’s Jester Challenge to Newport. The event will start from Plymouth on Sunday 8th May 2022. The entry list is now open and prospective participants can register via the Contact page on the Jester Challenge website.
Unfortunately, the spectre of Covid regulations is still haunting us, and even though the event is 8 months away, there is no guarantee that they won’t impact on it. Any prospective entrants are strongly advised to liaise with the US embassy, as soon as possible, on visa and Covid requirements.
Wishing you all a good end to the sailing season
The Jester Helm
Jester Challenge 