Cork Week 2010 - Lulu Belle Uncorked - the final instalment

by Anne Stockdale on 17 Jul 2010 Cork Week 2010 - Another Australian report - Day 5 and we're done.

If we sailed well today we knew we could take the competition (give or take a place or two) .We awoke to rain, sun, hail, sleet, just a normal Irish summer really. Wilson had returned from partying and gave the crew a pep talk.

So off we went to find with our instructions for the day. Delighted that there were no postponements in place despite the gale force predictions and they were no deterrent to the intrepid crew ( no joking, a low of 984ph and we still went sailing!)

As we went out through the 4 meter swell (give or take), through the blinding rain the crew spotted Anne and Chris from Manly Sailing on the beach having a cup of coffee. It was determined that since Anne and Chris helped us out so much that we would ask them to come with us for a leisurely last two races.

And so to the start – windwards/leewards on the slalom course (only the Irish). The committee boat saw the wind coming from 290 degrees then 240 degrees then 290 degrees, this left them in somewhat of a quandry as to where to set the course.

Wilson gave them some advice, not sure what was said but finally the marks were laid and off we went. First over the line at the start and screaming along in our little Elan 340 at possibly 20kts (give or take) we rounded the top mark and set the kite. Anne and Dave volunteered to do all the bow work which the crew felt was acceptable and down hill we ran .

The crew decided that as they were putting in their best day of racing they had time to get supplies for the mighty seafood cook off. So it on the second leg we trawled the kite. Unfortunately oysters were in short supply,but we got whiting, prawns, scallops and hot chips and even got the kite back on board eventually!

Wilson was impressed and had a smile on his face all the way back to the marina. Returning to Crosshaven the press came down in their droves requesting the opportunity to take pictures of the great Australian Lulu Belle Uncorked team who had been seen as the most spectacular, sensational and certainly unusual team to ever compete at Cork Week.

So after copious interviews the team retired to the crew house to cook up the seafood they had caught earlier.

Everyone was happy, the boat was intact (save some minor problems like the keel, rudder,mast and motor) but at least the head was still working ( that however, was no good for Wilson …guess why).

Everyone from Crosshaven came out to kiss us goodbye which left us all feeling sad and gloomy as we left the misty ,rainy, sunny shores for the last time.

On a more serious note, thanks to our fabulous crew - Peter Lewis, Peter Matthews, Dave Kendall, Nicole Stockdale ( Not Nicky), Karl Kirsten (both with K's), Kim Darling, Janno Darling, Chris Stockdale, Anne Stockdale and most importantly Wilson Wilson, pictured here with Robyns Dad . Admiral Robyn.

And thanks to Cork Week and the gorgeous Irish people we met for such a great time……we'll be back!

P.s. From the author to Dave – you're a legend, I'll do foredeck with you anyday!