As you will know if you have checked out this or my previous blogs, I love the Jester Challenge and all it offers someone like me. Singlehanded sailing, cheap boat, own endeavours, limited rules and going to a specific location pretty much sums up my approach to sailing. Having a year off has given me time to think and plan. While I would really like to go back to the Azores and quite like to go back to Baltimore for the craic I need to think about the implications for everyone involved. The JBC23 brought this into sharp relief. For my family, the worry factor ramped up considerably after last year's health scare. The tragic events of this year's Jester Challenge increased this worry yet further. What it must have been like for those that took part, and even worse those that heard the regular coastguard broadcasts, is difficult to imagine but they all entered the challenge with some concept of the risks. What is unimaginable is the distress felt by the family of the Challenger at the centre of the incident. There is no value in speculating about the cause or what anyone would do differently until the investigation is complete. Even then there may be very little that Jesters will do differently and if additional rules are brought in then it might not be the same.
The following extract from the Jester Challenge website sums up the situation far better than I can.
The time has come to sum up this year’s Jester Challenge. This is not an easy task, as there is so much that is positive, counterbalanced by the devastating loss of one of our number.
This year a total of 43 skippers sailed in the event, the biggest number to participate in any of the 15 Jester Challenges sailed since its inauguration in 2006. Winds in the very early stages were extremely light, causing some retirements, but a large majority of yachts arrived at Baltimore in good order. This year also saw the initiation of our Sailing for Science project, in collaboration with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, with Jester skippers recording all cetacean sightings off the Irish coast.
However, the usual socialising at Baltimore was quickly tempered by concern for the whereabouts of Duncan Lougee and Minke, who failed to arrive as expected.
Most of you will by now have heard the sad news that after a protracted search in the Celtic Sea, Minke was finally located. Duncan was not aboard and the chances of finding him are slim.
It is as yet far too early to try to seek explanations as to what may have happened; and in any event any explanation is unlikely ever to be more than mere speculation. It would also be premature, while we are all still totally perplexed and numbed by this heartbreaking turn of events, to catalogue and celebrate Duncan’s huge contribution and influence as regards the development of the Jester Challenge, along with his many other fine qualities. That will come later, at an appropriate time and in an appropriate way.
This tragedy is a huge blow to all the members of Duncan’s family, and our thoughts are first and foremost with them. The tragedy also brings great sadness to the Jester family, which now numbers several hundred participating or aspiring skippers. Hopefully it will serve to make us stronger and more determined. Such is the Jester spirit.
For the moment, as we all come to terms with what has happened, in our own ways and in our own times, it seems that deep and quiet reflection may be in order. We all know in our hearts that over the thousands of ocean miles we have sailed, we have all been, at some point or another, within a hair’s breadth of calamity. The ocean is a dangerous place and the sea remorseless. We are the lucky ones. Let us reflect a little on those less fortunate.
Next year is an Azores year and while I would love to go back and visit my friends out there again and some other islands, I am only 50/50 about taking part. If I can get a year of good health and increasing stamina under my belt this will go a long way to giving me the confidence to have a go. Hopefully this won't be tempered by any changes in the challenge format. I consider the precautions I take for my safety to be adequate but I am always open to ideas. Regular reporting in would put me off, as would any form of pre event checks. My respect for the Jester Challenge organisers has always been high but during the last week they have managed the situation excellently, communicated where appropriate through the website and, most importantly, kept those ashore who were most affected in their thoughts and actions. This has reassured my family that if the worst were to happen then they would be considered.
2026 is scheduled to be the full challenge to Newport, RI. Whether or not I consider this in my plans will depended on factors that will transpire over the intervening period. If I had to decide today I won't be trying.
