;)
The crew of Defiant receive their awardsWith only an hour to go before the start of the Caribbean 1500 latecomers prizegiving, Defiant, sailing under emergency tiller, came in loud and clear on the Nanny Cay VHF. Kimberleigh and Lyndon Humer’s Wauquiez 43 made its final approach to Nanny Cay under tow from new dockmaster Brendon Joyce, as her propeller had fouled at the same time as the steering failure, and was greeted by thunderous applause from the many rally participants who had been waiting anxiously for her arrival.
For Defiant, the rum punch on the dock, the last served by World Crusing Club staff this year, was hard earned and well deserved. For Lyndon, Kimberleigh and their 18-year-old son Dylan, the passage was their first offshore. It was certainly a baptism by fire. “We were sailing in 30 to 35 knots, with big waves astern,” said Dylan. “A wave reared up behind us, and with a sickening ‘POP!’ the steering went and we were out of control.”
The Humer’s fitted the emergency tiller and hand-steered under reduced canvas to wait for the weather to settle enough to be able to rely on their autopilot. It turned out to be a sensible move and by the time they reached Nanny Cay, though tired, the crew of Defiant was delighted, saying that they had enjoyed some of the best sailing of their short offshore careers.
Following their successful arrival, the final happy hour and prizegiving began at the PegLegs beach bar. The timing of the awards could not have worked out better. Not long before Defiant’s arrival, the Fastwater 52 catamaran Ice Wars II tied up at Nanny Cay, the first yacht to arrive after stopping in Bermuda (Wavelength and Surprise, the other two Bermuda-yachts at sea, are due tomorrow).
Participants each received an engraved wooden plaque to commemorate their experience in the event and results of the Class B Cruising Division were calculated. Rum Runner was awarded 3rd place in Class B, behind Lady and Dancing Lizard. Southern Cross, Steve Spracher’s Lagoon 38 took 2nd in the multihull division.
The two biggest awards of the event went to Defiant in the end. They earned both the Spirit of the Rally award for their display of professionalism and calm at sea, as well as the Seamanship Award for overcoming the numerous difficulties presented to them in their first-ever bluewater passage. Defiant’s awards were saved for last, and the 65 plus participants on-hand for their presentation gave them the extended applause they deserved, wrapping up a memorable 22nd running of the Caribbean 1500.
