Watching The Yachtists Race

It’s the Round The Island yachtist race at the Isle of Wight today. 

I’m not a sailorist, boatist or yachtist. So, events like this are a mystery to me. I get the general idea, set sail from one place and hope the wind blows you round the whole island faster than anyone else. 

I wondered if you could join the race on your bicycle. Imagine that? Adapted for sea travel, you’d pedal like mad and soon be overtaking the people daft enough to use one of things that need a sail. 

But it is quite a spectacle. Watching lines of yachts leaning into the wind, trying to outdo each other. 

I was wondering how the yachts feel. 

“Alright, Bob. See we are doing this racing crap again.”

“Hello mate, yeah the crew I had last year didn’t know a spinnaker from jib.” 

“See you in Cowes for a pint?” 

“Yep, assuming there’s a following wind.” 

They’d both chuckle and sail off with their human crews working hard to find the wind that will see them surge ahead. 

But the job I’d want? Being on the committee boat to control the race. I’d be displaying all sorts of random signals that the competitors would have to figure out. 

Anyway, a proper spectacle and worth a visit to the Island to watch. Even if it’s just to invent your own nautical terms. 

I came up with “a yammering of yachts” to describe multiple yachts in a group.

Right, must dash, my jib is set for a cup of tea.