Challenge Completed

07.30 Monday woohoo

A huge sense of achievement felt by the entire team having had the stamina to see the challenge through to the end. Our ambition was to complete the race this year and we have managed that sucessfully.

Kookaburra was a great boat to do this race in, even if the keel nearly fell out the bottom of the boat 1/3 of the way throught. I will however dream of self tailing winches and a decent main track as she is hard work with only two in the cockpit.

Our thanks goes to everyone who sponsored us as we have raised loads of money for some great charities.

Will we do it again? lets wait and see, however Marco has already worked out how to cut his pack weight by about 2kg so I think I know where he will be this time next year

Finishing party ready!

Its our finishing party! One runner and one sailor. Will we do it again next year?

last sunrise-hopefully!

5 miles to go! As the sun rises over ardrossan we can see the entrance to troon.
We have to go in under sail and drop 2 in the dingy to race up to the office.
With it, the sun has killed the wind...

kookaburra finds wind!

A strong south easterly fills in giving us a beat over to ardrossan. Not long now, the goal is in sight. Beers are cooling as we speak! Kc

leaving arran

Runners finished the final run over goat fell.. Chilli all round as we head for troon! No wind and only 15 miles to the finish. Others have given up but we're all determined to complete the course. Kc

Nearly there

Just waiting 4 runners and the head to Troon. Not a lot of wind so may
take a while.

Check the view John

The summit of Goatfell. Hometime now and a beer at Troon.

Chilli spuds!

Chief Kook Kenny prepares a welcome meal for the runners and sailors, good effort boyo :)

The ferry

Maybe we could just get the ferry back. Looks a lot less bouncy!!

Paul wasn't happy to learn it was another 14 miles

Lamlash

So near yet so far

A tactical error ruined a chance of a place. Taking a risk on a beat
out to Ailsa Craig looking for the forecasted South Easterly changed to a North Easterly
stranding us 8 miles to leward of Lamlash. With tide turn lost 3
places and about 4 hours, but hey you gotta give it a go :(

Running though the woodland trails

Running through the beautiful woodland trails in arran. Lovely evening.

Charlie goes bananas!

Charlie tidying the cabin.

On way to Pladda

Round the Mull and heading to Pladda Lighthouse. 15 knts breeze and the Sun is out. All sailors grabbed 4 hrs kip with Runners still out cold. I swear Marco has superhuman strength and stamina.

Fladda lighthouse

sunrise over kintyre..

Kc and kb 5 miles off rounding the mull. Kb feeling refreshed after 3 hour power nap! Roll on 8am and i can wake up charlie for mine! Kc

Round the Mull

30knts Wind on a flyer. Great overnight trip, watch over @ 4am. Big
seas so sleep should be fun!

Watch out for the Moonburn!

Kc and Chaz reaching down to kintyre. Tired, who's tired!

team clear jura at midnight..

An excellent run for paul and marco finishing the paps in good time allowing us to head off towards the mull.. 7.5 knots will hopefully get us up there by 6am before our trip up to arran. Sailors managed 3 hours sleep at jura after 16 sail down. Keel causing problems as stuck down and rattlin after lifting mechanism broke . Paul is suffering with sea sickness but holding up well:) go team! kc