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60-yr-old Wayfarer rounds Britain
Intrepid UK sailors Will Hodshon and Rich Mitchell have achieved a world first by successfully
circumnavigating the coastline of mainland Britain non-stop and unassisted in an open sailing dinghy.
They completed the epic voyage in just 15 days 4hrs and smashed existing records for the quickest
times so far recorded for such attempts.
The feat was even more notable for having been completed aboard a lovingly refurbished 60-year-
old, 16ft Wayfarer sailing dinghy. Nipegegi, number W198 and known as ‘Nipe’, was bought at the 1959
London Boat Show by Will’s Grandfather, Bill Hodshon. Her name is made up of the first two letters of
the names of Will’s uncle, father and aunty – Nick, Penny, Geoff and Gill.
Will’s father, Geoff, was one of the top sailors in his class for over 20 years including as runner-up in
the Wayfarer world championships with Nipe. Having taught both Will and Rich their sailing skills,
Geoff ran the record attempt’s mobile onshore team with Will’s Aunt Penny – the Pe from Nipegegi.
Will’s Uncle Nick Hodshon – the Ni – is a former Olympic squad sailor and supported the team with
fixed IT from HQ.
Will and Rich set sail from Salcombe, Devon on 15 June and
completed the 1390 nautical mile journey on 1 July, arriving safe, but
tired, back at Salcombe.
“The beauty of the British wildlife around our coast has always
astounded me but what really struck me was what wasn’t there,” said
Rich Mitchell. “Our grandfathers would have seen maybe 100 whales,
but we saw maybe ten and how many will our children get to see?
With this in mind we truly need to look after what we’ve got and try
and restore our nation’s riches.”
“I can’t believe we’ve actually done it!” said Will Hodshon. “Not
only in such good time but to also complete the non-stop and
unassisted aspect which at times seemed unachievable. It’s a special
moment in Nipe’s long history, and so special to complete our
challenge in her, but also for the fact that all the Hodshon family have
come together to work on this project, from all corners of the world,
Smack centenarians
The six smacks battling it out at
Wivenhoe Regatta in early July had
an average age of 134 years, writes
photographer Sandy Miller, making
My Alice the youngster of the fleet at- Dorothy CK159 was built in 1899
(120), Sunbeam CK328 in 1881, Maria
CK21 in 1866, My Alice CK348 in 1907,
Gracie CK46 in 1890 and Pioneer
CK18 in 1864.
Mayflower Sails 2020
The Mayflower will sail to Boston next
spring, for the first time since its
restoration. She’ll be a star turn at the
Mayflower Sails 2020 event from 14- 19 May in the Charlestown Navy
Yard, part of the 400th anniversary
celebrations of the pilgrims’ arrival in
America.
Modern apprentice
Twenty-two year-old Edel McCarthy
from Paisley will learn traditional and
modern boatbuilding at the Scottish
Boat Building School as the first on its
new Modern Apprenticeship in Boat
Building and Repair.Red is dead (again)...
The government is consulting on
plans to abolish the 2008 scheme
allowing private pleasure craft (eg
yachts, canal boats and motorboats)
to run on red diesel and pay the duty
difference between diesel on the fuel
used for propulsion.“I can’t
believe we’ve
actually done
it! And in
such good
time, but to
also complete
it non-stop
and
unassisted”“The beauty of
the British
wildlife around
our coast has
always astounded
me, but what
really struck me
was what wasn’t
there.”
RICH MITCHELL