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2006
Jester Challenge Entry List |
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The Jester Challenge is a single-handed race for sailing yachts between 20-30' from Plymouth, England to Newport — the aim is to conduct a modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. In doing so, The Jester Challenge has attracted, in the main, hugely experienced, small-yacht, ocean voyagers. The inaugural Jester Challenge starts at 1200 (BST) on Saturday, June 3, 2006. The course’s only mark to Newport will be the Draystone Ledge Buoy off Penlee Point to be left to starboard. There is no time limit. The finish will be off Castle Hill Light. A reminiscence by Mike Richey The first east-to-west single handed transatlantic race took place in 1960, from Plymouth, England to the Ambrose Light Vessel off New York. It was won by Francis Chichester in 40 days. There were five starters, all of whom arrived in due course. The instructions had been admirably simple: "Leave the Melampus Buoy (in Plymouth Sound) to starboard and thence by any route to the Ambrose Light Vessel, New York". The race was sponsored by the Observer newspaper (and hence the apellation OSTAR, for Observer Single Handed Transatlantic Race, which stuck long after its validity) and was organized by the Royal Western Yacht Club of England at Plymouth. Subsequent races, held at 4-year intervals, have been from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island, the last, with a some change of title, in 2005. Blondie Hasler, the originator of the race, believed the design of small ocean going craft at the time was being exclusively judged by their performance under the ocean racing rules of measurement. He proposed the race's only handicap would be that imposed by the size of the boat which one man on his own would |
handle. Blondie sailed the first two Ostars in Jester, the junk-rigged 25ft Folkboat he designed with full enclosure so that in principle there should be no need for the crew to go on deck. The boat was fitted with the Hasler designed servo-pendulum wind vane steering gear which effectively enabled the skipper to dispense with hand steering for most of the voyage. I bought Jester from Blondie in 1964 after the second Ostar and managed to sail her in every Ostar after that, although not always with the same sparkling results. Jester accompanied the fleet during the single-handed race in 2000 by invitation, for the Royal Western Yacht Club had by then put the minimum length eligible up from 20ft to 25ft which put Jester out of the 2004 race. The original boat had been lost at sea during the 1988 race and the present Jester, an exact replica (except that she is cold-moulded), was built for the Jester Trust. Nearer 90 than 80 it seemed to me improbable that I should do justice to the boat any longer and I therefore suggested to the Trust that they should sell the boat. They did, choosing the buyer with care. Trevor Leek who now owns her and has been the moving spirit in organizing the first single-handed transatlantic race to be sailed under Blondie Hasler’s new order to be named the Jester Challenge. The coordinator will be Ewen Southby-Tailyour who will also provide a start vessel, aboard which will be Val Howells, the only skipper left from the first race and myself as past owner of Jester. Trevor has sailed his boats (successively Corkscrew & Mollyhawk) in two Ostars and the Round Britain and Ireland Race and in a number of Azores and Back races. © 2006 Newport Harbor Guide. All rights reserved. return to Newport Harbor Guide Articles |
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