23 May 2008 NCI Newhaven Deputy Chairman Nick Barham set sail from Newhaven on 23 May bound for Plymouth to participate in the 2008 inaugural Jester Challenge to the Azores starting on 31 May. Nick will be competing in the wake of the intrepid Blondie Hasler who sailed the Atlantic single handed a number of times in the original 25ft junk rigged Folkboat “Jester” after which the race is named.
The first race, from Plymouth to New York, took place in 1960 and has subsequently been held every four years, sailing to different Atlantic destinations. Nick will sail single handed to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel in the Azores in his 28ft trimaran “Tahiti Belle” along with other competing boats which must be sailed by one person over the age of eighteen years at the start (you’re ok Nick) and be between 20ft and 30ft LOA. There are no entry fees, no inspections, no timekeepers, no regulations and no (formal!) prizes with the object of this unique race being to further the spirit of long distance, single handed sailing in small boats purely for sport and the camaraderie of the other competitors.
Inevitably the ethos and spirit of the race presents each skipper with a great challenge and all the responsibility that goes with it. Nick’s wife Astrid will be joining him in the Azores for the return journey which he hopes to complete in mid July. NCI Newhaven Chairman Tony Fortnam said: “We have every confidence that Nick will complete a great race and wish him well. All the team at Newhaven look forward to his safe return in July - just in time for our DFS review!”
The first race, from Plymouth to New York, took place in 1960 and has subsequently been held every four years, sailing to different Atlantic destinations. Nick will sail single handed to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel in the Azores in his 28ft trimaran “Tahiti Belle” along with other competing boats which must be sailed by one person over the age of eighteen years at the start (you’re ok Nick) and be between 20ft and 30ft LOA. There are no entry fees, no inspections, no timekeepers, no regulations and no (formal!) prizes with the object of this unique race being to further the spirit of long distance, single handed sailing in small boats purely for sport and the camaraderie of the other competitors.
Inevitably the ethos and spirit of the race presents each skipper with a great challenge and all the responsibility that goes with it. Nick’s wife Astrid will be joining him in the Azores for the return journey which he hopes to complete in mid July. NCI Newhaven Chairman Tony Fortnam said: “We have every confidence that Nick will complete a great race and wish him well. All the team at Newhaven look forward to his safe return in July - just in time for our DFS review!”