Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
Here’s an interesting story which all keelboat owners should read and inwardly digest!
It’s told by Nick Leggatt who skippered ‘The Ullman Challenge’ in the 2017 Rio Race. He always spins a good story, but this one is crammed full of good advice, and so much more, that all yachties can learn from. When his trusty steed lost her rudder, Leggatt devised ways to continue racing despite the setback, and never let adversity get in his way. He’s old school too, so retiring and seeking assistance was simply not in his play book – which is the seamanlike thing to do.
This is what he said happened: “It sounded like a cork popping out of a champagne bottle.
“Just a calm, quiet, “plop!”
“But instantly, sitting hunched at the nav station, I knew we were in trouble and had nothing to celebrate. Coming from the stern of the boat the sound could only be of the rudder breaking off. I immediately glanced at the rudder stock to check for water ingress. There was nothing.”
He concluded with this: “It was a great experience to be part of such a dedicated and practical team and we all felt a great sense of achievement for completing the course under our own efforts and without outside assistance.”
READ IT ALL HERE: Pages from 2017 03 – SAILING Magazine – OCR
