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RUSH
RUSH (GBR 4530 T) is a Sigma 35 that was acquired in July 2005 specifically for this race. Tim and I were very encouraged by winning the RWYC's 2-Handed Triangle race the day after we brought the boat back to Plymouth.
The SRBI qualifier passage in September (two days with 30 knots of wind) convinced us the boat was fine but that we needed to be fitter. Over this winter we have made a few alterations to make her more suitable for short-handed sailing - primarily removing all the big sails. It will have taken us the best part of 12 months preparation to get to the start line and in June we will find out if all the work has been sufficient and whether we are up to it. The bottom line, though, is that the weather will be the key factor for everyone.
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Tony Bale - Skipper
Like a lot of Plymouth sailors I started sailing by crewing on cross-channel and inshore races. I was also a Mate with the Ocean Youth Club on the ketch, Falmouth Packet, for a while. In recent years, as well as racing locally and cross-Channel, I have cruised and raced to northern Spain and have now crossed Biscay two-handed on three occasions.
Tim Bale - Co-Skipper
I learned to sail during a climbing and sailing holiday on Drakes Island in Plymouth but since then most of my sailing has been around the east Coast and North Sea. I do a bit of running and completed the London Marathon in 1996 but, for some reason, it seems to be getting harder and harder to stay in shape these days! Flying now occupies more of my spare time than sailing and I pilot my own fixed wing aircraft. My wife has probably regretted that trial-flight, birthday present ever since! Flying does have a lot in parallel with sailing - planning, navigation, weather awareness - and its ability to act as a black hole for money.
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