Jolie Brise and the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009
One of the oldest boats, one of the youngest crews
Final Leg: Halifax to Belfast
With two miles to the closest land (albeit vertically downwards), Jolie Brise and her young crew of pupils from Dauntsey's School are now some 700 miles from Belfast, having already sailed over 2000 miles since leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia on 20th July. The four boys and four girls on board, all aged between 16 and 18, have coped with the worst that the Atlantic could have thrown at them: gales, storms, thunder and lightning, thick fog, violent and sudden changes in wind direction, together with the occasional shark keeping a watchful eye on them. Worst of all, according to some of the crew, was dealing with the blocked loo. They were advised to watch The Perfect Storm before leaving: it has proved to be wise advice.
The glow of the phosphorescent sea, the pods of dolphins playing the alongside the boat and the meteorite showers at night will be some of the memories the pupils will bring home as well as the gruelling watches, the lack of sleep and the inability to ever feel dry. They hope to make landfall this weekend, probably at Ballycastle, before sailing into Belfast with the rest of the Tall Ships fleet on the morning of 13th August. All on board are awaiting examination results, though these will probably pale into insignificance when one considers what they have achieved during the weeks spent at sea.
Jolie Brise is currently second in class (on corrected time) as at 1400 on 3rd August.