Image: Griffin 24 © Rick Tomlinson/RORC
"When we first learned of the RORC Griffin Project we were unsure what to expect. However, having now completed the 2024 season, team 007 have reflected on the program." Rosie Hill - Griffin 24
The Griffin Project 2024 kicked off with an intense selection weekend over in Cowes. Ahead of the selection weekend we knew very little detail, apart from some starting coordinates and a kit list (don’t forget your goggles!). Twenty eager applicants arrived bright and early at the first of the two weekends to face the tasks ahead of them, ranging from communication challenges to bleep tests and of course sailing in-between. The selections were extremely well run by Charles Darbyshire and the Fourth Cape team. The selectors definitely had a tough job choosing who would make it through to the final 20.
Once chosen, everyone met in Gosport for the three day training weekend. The weekend was supported by the best in the business. The four excellent coaches included: Dee Caffari, Steve Hayles, Shirley Robertson and Ian Walker. A very windy weekend but learnt loads from the coaches as well as our first time sailing in our set teams. The weekend gave us a chance to find out more about the Sunfast 30ODs as well as learning how the season would pan out.
Six races were planned for the season, five of them RORC races with two teams competing in each of the following; Cervantes, Myth of Mallam, De Guingand Bowl, Morgan Cup and the Drheam Cup. For our team, sailing on Cap Sela - 007, we participated in the Myth of Malham and Morgan Cup before the big finale which was the 600 mile Drheam Cup. Having four teams meant the learning and knowledge gathered from each race was able to be shared with the goal that we all improve together and more rapidly.
The Myth of Malham was our first time racing offshore together and it was a chance to get to know the boat and crew better, a tricky race with lots of light winds, before sending it downwind in some stronger breeze towards the Eddystone Lighthouse. In true offshore fashion, we rounded the lighthouse in darkness in strong breeze with the up, teamwork was fundamental. It was at that point we understood why we were asked to perform team building exercises at the selection weekend! Unfortunately, that progress came to an abrupt stop when met with a large shutdown coming back eastwards. Missing the tidal gate at the finish and with glassy water, the last few miles felt like they would never end. Despite that, both teams finished with 007 ahead of 009 but all with lots of lessons learnt. Everyone was eager to apply them to their next race.
Next up for 007 was the Morgan Cup, a breezy start accompanied by a choppy Solent, meant it was going to be full on!! A highly tactical race given the 110 miles upwind out of the 120 mile course, we battled hard with the other team, skippered by Charlie Muldoon, passing each other at various points during the race, but it was 009 that took the victory over 007 but only by 6 minutes! Once over the line the teams focused immediately shifted to the next race and the longest of the season, the Drheam Cup.
Following learning from previous races, it was decided that Rosie Hill would switch from the navigator role into the position of skipper. Therefore, leading team 007 during the Drheam cup. Starting in Cherbourg we arrived by ferry and preparations for the race got underway immediately with bagging food, filling tanks, sorting watch systems, cleaning the boat and watching the weather and running routings. Before we knew it, we were on the start line hoisting several different sails in between the squalls coming off the land. With heaps on and boats broaching left right and center, the focus on our boat was recovering the kite as both tylaskas on the kite sheets blew off in the strong winds.
Many sail changes later we settled down and blasted across the channel! West Shambles' cardinal mark (off Portland) was rounded at night, rounding close to other boats combined with a kite drop made sure everyone was alert during the early hours. Playing the headlands and bays, we were up wind all the way along the south coast to Wolf Rock. While passing Start Point, we learned of the retirement of the other Griffin boat which dived into Dartmouth with hull issues. After touching base to check if they needed help with anything, we continued the never ending upwind.
Once at Wolf Rock spirits on the team were high, as we reached a significant milestone of the race. The wind dropped and became more southerly…. off we went for another upwind, south, to the virtual mark. By this time sea sickness in the team abated and our watch system had been established, we were firmly getting into the race routine. From the virtual mark we hoisted the code and off we went heading directly to La Trinite! With the distance to waypoint slowing decreasing, we had 6-8 knots wind speed all the way the main aim was to keep moving through the light patches. As a meteorologist and unable to get updated weather GRIBs, we were watching any cloud coverage combined with the barometer to see how close to the center of the high we were.
With some epic sunsets and lots of dolphins we all enjoyed coming on watch and we often had mealtimes all together on deck. The approach to La Trinite saw us navigating between rocks and islands at night alongside several other boats. As daylight broke the wind completely shut down and the drift-a-thon to the finish line started. After several frustrating hours we creeped across the line. A rewarding end to the season!
It has been fantastic to skipper the team in this final race and to see the hard work and dedication coming to fruition. The team has gone from strength to strength, and completing this race as a four has been a highlight. There have been several ‘character building’ moments this season which have starkly contrasted the ‘whisky moments’ of beautiful sunsets and laugher onboard. I have enjoyed taking on the huge amount of trust and responsibility which comes with offshore sailing and bringing a team together. I am immensely grateful to have been given such an awesome opportunity by RORC. With Jim Driver at the helm, I look forward to following the continued success of the now highly regarded Griffin Project.
To get involved with the Griffin24 Project as a sailor or supporter contact: griffin@rorc.org