Bladerun

[ForTwo]

Any joining the Bladerun rally next week? we will do the first leg only RAMSGATE - OSTEND, looks like an enjoyable rally event. nice website www.bladerun.com

[ciao]

Was invited to the party, but unfortunately am in Spain, have a great time!

[ForTwo]

some party pic's @ the Ostend venue, kickoff party @ London was awsome, should get some pictures any day.

http://www.powerboat-rescue.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=32

[Ben Mazur]

The party looks like fun.

Wasn't there a bit of drama with one of the boats making its way to Enland. I also understand it was a little rough that weekend.

[Rupert Munro]

Party looks great fun! Shame about the rally being affected by the weather though.

[ForTwo]

The party looks like fun.

Wasn't there a bit of drama with one of the boats making its way to Enland. I also understand it was a little rough that weekend.

indead, one boat (little cat) from a mixed Dutch - Belgian team broke, They had to swim 2 miles back. heard they hitted a little sea lion.

As for the rest, yes it was kinda rough, but not for us :rolleyes:

"Flanders Offshore Racing" Blasting the 1st BladeRun.



After a decadent Kick-off party in London all teams where ready for the first BladeRun rally

Ramsgate-Ostend. As we already noticed on the touringbus taking us to Ramsgate there woulden't be that many competition... beyond the Margate coast competitors focused on a sea as flat like Lake Maggiore and tought it would be like that once in Ramsgate. Without meteo acquaintance their custard faces turned yellow when they see white horses blowing a 4-5 bft. from the NW and increasing. The Bladerun organization informed the meteo services couple of times and Flanders offshore racing where the only smiling faces when they announced 8-9 bft. later on the afternoon at midchannel. BladeRun CEO Duncan Scholes asked our professional advice after pilot breefing and asked us what the options are. Kris suggested other Bladerunners to follow a ferry's wake, but even that looked too scary.



12.40 hours: Time to get our gear ready followed by some crazy paparazzi, you Belgian's are nuts starting at those conditions, as we replied even faster " nah.. this is the real BladeRun for us, we got the skills - the power - and the perfect boat for this rally. Our RING powered by twin 250 merc's optimax had a last check-up and we strapped things where needed.



12.55 hours: Highly respected by all shore Bladerunners they wished us succes as Kris and Gino where the only Blades crossing the channel. CEO Duncan asked us how long it would take as he will be providing Bladegirls with champagne on arrival......... due the harsh conditions, let's say 3 hours.

As we leave the potoon at the Ramsgate marina we could not reject looking behind us and hope any would still joining us, sad enough they stayed leashed. So we decide to hit open waters.



13.00 The first 10 miles looked perfect for pilot Kris, the rib totaly balanced en well trimmed getting close to 52 knots. Halfway the channel the wind was increasing and it was getting more edgy, windpeaks force 8-9 NW with high waves offshore breaking against our starbordside, Co-pilot - Navigator Gino trimmed port side engine a bit more so we had a perfect rhythm again but forced us to slow down a bit. 17 miles before the ostend coast we spotted a strange object simular looking like a drillplatform, as we approached it looked like a meteostation, as there was nobody home we decided to drink our coffee somewhere else. After a few miles we had Ostend harbour in sight, entering Montgomerydock some die-hard fans and friends waving and complementing us as being first (and only ones) finishing. Thanks for being there for us !



15.52 hours With one hour timedifference we crossed the channel in 1 hour 52 min. The promised Bladegirls with champagne didn't made it as we where to soon...after all, it was a rally ....wasn't it? All other Bladerunners took the shuttle from dover to Calais so they could join us at the party and dine at the "Ostend Queen" & Lounge bar. CEO Duncan Scholes called the Flanders offshore Racing duo Kris Deraed & Gino Passchier " The Offshore Legends" as they are the only "Bladerunners" and for once other participants "Trainrunners"



In the near future more BladeRuns will be organized starting the next venue Puerto Banuz - Ibiza end September, due the experiance off Flanders Offshore Racing it looks like Duncan Scholes will possible coöperate with us concerning other BladeRuns. Interested participating? please let us know. BladeRun is not only a rally, it's a lifestyle !!!!

[Ben Mazur]

Great narrative ForTwo. Thanks for sharing it with us!