Team BLUE™ complete the gruelling Archipelago Raid

Introduction

03 August 2007 - At 0400 hours (local) this morning the remaining 23 boats competing in the Archipelago Raid started the final day of racing in the gruelling Archipelago Raid adventure sailing race...

AR 07 © TMartinez

The past five days of intense sailing, navigating around the 100'000's rocks and small islands of the Scandinavian Archipelago is beginning to take it's toll on the competitors and their F18 catamarans. Sleep deprevation is affecting many whilst others have been forced to retire from the race due to boat damage but the two boat entry of Team BLUE™ was amongst those still able to compete.

Starting from Mariehamn at first light, the fleet sailed out of the channel this morning with a 10 – 12 knot wind, heading to checkpoint 24. Re-starting again at 1130 hours (local) on the seventh and final leg, Yamaha Red and Team BLUE™ Oceans skippered by Plymouth based ocean sailor, Conrad Humphreys and crewed by young, up and coming F18 sailor, Ryan Crawford from Penzance, were first across the start line.

From the start this morning at Mariehamn, Conrad Humphreys commented: "We are both pretty tired and our bodies are taking a battering. We did something in the region of 50 – 60 miles up wind yesterday and after five days of this race - we are both exhausted.

"Ryan's hand's are in a real mess, which shows how hard we are sailing and I have found muscles that I thought I never had. It's a real marathon this event and we will have to dig deep during this final day."

At just after 1800 hours hours (local) today, Team BLUE™ Oceans triamphantly crossed the finish line at Sandhamn. Just ahead of them was Team BLUE crewmates on Team BLUE™ Climate, F18 National Champions, Matt Eeles and Jamie Butterworth from Poole in Dorset. As newcomers to the Archipelago Raid and branded 'Rocky's', Team BLUE™ set out just to complete the race. However, to finish in the top half of the rankings is a real achievement amongst this top class international field.

Conrad Humphreys, continues: "This event is very hard but it is one of the most fun events I have done.  The camaraderie is pretty unique from the race organisers right through to the competitors – there is a really nice spirit.  I think that is the thing that would force me to come back to do it again.  There is no doubt that Wednesday was one of the best days sailing I have ever had....  There are a lot of similarities with sailing round the world – when you are sailing 'blind' down rock alley it is much like being in the South sailing through the icebergs, you just have to accept if something has your name on it there is nothing you can do about it.  The lack of sleep is also comparable – in fact I would even say that this is harder, you can't get into any rhythm like you can on an Open 60.  It really is a tough event and I wont miss the mosquito's but it has been fantastic."

TheBLUE™ Project is the first environmental campaign to use sport and adventure to highlight and raise awareness of our climate and oceans together with the resulting impact of global climate change. By entering two teams in to the Archipelago Raid, the BLUE™ Project has been able to emphasize the incredible beauty of the Scandinavian islands and promote ways in which we can all become more active in caring for the health of our planet.