Skipper’s diary
The startline
The start was manic – nearly 200 boats jostling for position… not that it really matters on a 2,700 mile course but I admired the principle and gleefully joined in the pointless battle of skill, nerve, and who had packed the least baked beans.
The watch system
Such was the importance of the watch system that great debate ensured as to how we should organise ourselves. A number of ideas were put forward:
• Royal Navy Short Watch System – 3-hour watches plus a nominated ‘Mother’ each day, who would cook meals and keep everyone in check
• Socialist Watch System – do a watch when you feel like it, let others pick up the other watches
• Capitalist
