Triumphant Ellen MacArthur

Bill Johnson: Here are some pics. Number 1 proves we were the first sailing boat out, and number 3 that we weren't being excessively cautious about getting close! Click on pics for bigger versions.

Some text appearing on the LCSC Discussion group:

Many thanks for organising that Nicholas - it was a wonderful occasion, great atmosphere, and just a pity that more of the club couldn't make it. It was perhaps fitting that on the night before she returned you got 3 and a half hours sleep, roughly Ellen's average on the trip!

Hopefully I'll get a picture up on the club website if there's a good one.

Bill

LCSC Discussion group

Dear All

In the end it was just 3 of us, Bill Johnson expertly skippering, Robin Johnson and me*. We motored out at 06:20 and were the first out of the marina. Most of the ribs and powerboats went off in slightly the wrong direction - we kept a sharp lookout and noticed a 'tiny stick' on the horizon which was too vertical to be the mast of a monohull - sailed towards it and were therefore the first from land to sight Ellen though of course the ribs & powerboats got there first. Bill gave her and them a highly seamanlike amout of sea room (so no close-ups) and we escorted her in with the flotilla - keeping well clear of the many maniacs.

Our marina berth was only a few away from B&Q so we got an excellent view of her coming in and I was almost sprayed w Champagne when she jumped and fired that magnum. Wonderful atmosphere and great to see her close up. We then listened to the public appearance and press conf while having lunch on the boat, and since I had to stay behind to hand back the boat I got to go onboard B&Q, look around and be shown how the winches worked by the Trimaran Project Manager.

Bill has some decent photos - I have some on board B&Q on my mobile.

Delighted that we could represent LCSC (albeit unofficially and anonymously) and at least we can tell new members that everyone in the club on EMail had the opportunity to go.

Best

Nicholas

* 3 people dropped out at the last minute!