Six Island students sailed in the Trinity Sailing Association’s Golden Vanity (LOA 13 m/46 ft), Brixham, one of the shortest and oldest ships in the race, from Bergen in late June. Three others sailed much more relaxedly in the Provident, Brixham.

The Vanity was a heavy ship, 20 tonnes, renouned for sea sickeness. Expecting to go on one of the impressive twin-masted ships (at least), we arrived at a small Gaff Sloop based on a fishing boat design.

Sunday 29 July: Bergen, Norway

Evening - Crew parade. All the crews for the different ships gather together and represent their ships in a huge parade which went through the city. Mexican waves stretching several hundred metres down the pedestrianised roads were a specticle.

Monday 30: Bergen, Norway

We prepared for start. After safety briefs, we set off to the start line at midday to arrive about 7 pm in the evening.

High seas felt 6+ ft, everyone in our crew was sea sick that night, apart from the Trinity Sailing captain, Georgina, and first mate, Chloe. No dinner was eaten.

Tuesday 31: North Utsire, Norway

Last night’s stormy seas died down, and we were making brilliant progress towards Denmark in the slightly cloudy conditions. Had pasta for dinner which we had attempted to make the day before.

Wednesday 1 August: South Utsire, Norway

Sun came out for the 12 - 6 pm shift. Had salmon and potatoes for dinner. Rob, Amy and I were on the worst shift from 6 pm to 12 am, where everyone’s exhausted from the morning shift, and keep falling asleep on me!

Thursday 2: Fisher, Baltic Sea

Travelling at less than 2? kts, making little progress. Overtake Shtandard, Germany, a ?pirate? ship which had been relaying our coordinates to race control (all ships should report their coordinates of where they were at 5 am, our radio was not powerful enough to reach race control in Esbjerg).

In the evening the quite turns to gales and rough seas toss the boat around. Large waves come over the bow. Sea water comes in the cabin’s hatch, and soak Stacey whilst she was sleeping. We’ve now been able to see a North Sea oil rig for over 12 hours.

Friday 3: German Bight, Denmark

Tom blows the fog horn as we cross the finish line. Esbjerg cannot be far away(!)

The Golden Vanity finished the second leg in 43rd place, out of 108 ships; and 13th in class Ci.

After over six hours sail through the gales we dock safely in Esbjerg around 10 am - a huge relief to all nine tired soles onboard.

Sunday 5: Esbjerg, Denmark

Olympics - Team Golden Vanity - Tanya, Robert, Tom, Abbey and Malte (a German bloke onboard Otama II, Australia) got through to the finals of polo kayaking.

Parade - in the evening we had the Esbjerg crew parade, where we dressed up - placing paper hair on our heads, and underwear over the top. The Marines got many people wet with their water pistols and water bombs.

Crews run from the Marines’ water bombs

Disco - in the late evening we had a disco at the Esbjerg stadium. It was enjoyable, but many were tired and left to get sleep for returning home the next day on ferries and trains.

Overall, it was an interesting experience, unfortunately hindered by conflict between the captain, mate and crew, and bad weather. Nonetheless, an experience to last a lifetime. I would recommend the Tall Ships to anyone, if not the Golden Vanity!

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