Heartbeat IV Team ready for action
….and after an exhausting but ultimately satisfying Caribbean 600 (ie we finished and didn’t like many competitors have to retire) Heartbeat IV is now safely ashore in North Sound Marina, in Parham, Antigua. The C600 once again enabled us to compete against a huge variety or world-class boats. To race with boats such as Comanche, Bella Mente, Phaedo 3, and Concise 10 is really quite a surprise for a small amateur team from England’s East Coast. With little time to prepare we weren’t anticipating any podium places, and that was one prediction we got spot on. Before the race we met up with East Coast Rowing Record Holders – Bella Collins, Angus Collins and Olivia Bolesworth after their successes in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The images below give a little flavour of what was one of the most testing long-distance races we’ve done.
Record Holding Rowers
RORC Caribbean 600 Start
Overhauling Comanche
Just sailed through Concise 10
Phaedo3 in our sights
Off to Barbuda
Going back South
Rogue Wave
Approaching Redonda
Rounding Redonda
We have been unsure about future plans but now think most likely that Heartbeat IV will do Caribbean 600 in February and then the inaugural Antigua-Bermuda Race in May, taking her to Bermuda in time for the America’s Cup. So she’s been moved from her home for three years, Jolly Harbour to North Sound. Sails have gone to Franklyn at A & F Sails for some TLC in Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour. Assorted work will be done on her in the next few months. So here’s a picture or two of her in her hurricane home!!
North Sound Marina
