David Southwood safely home

David Southwood returned safely to the Yealm after the worst OSTAR event in history.  Severe gales to hurricane force decimated the fleet which left Plymouth on 29th May, bound for Newport USA.

Summerbird carried David in “survival mode” for several days before the damage became too great for him to continue.  He was able to sail the slightly easier course to The Azores for a rest and repairs.

This was the same weather system which devastated Mervyn Wheatley’s yacht Tamarind for which there was no happy ending.  Mervyn survived but the boat did not.

David has covered some 3,400 nautical miles over the past seven weeks and is very happy to be back to celebrate his birthday today, 15th June.

Pictures show David arriving at sunset yesterday.

(courtesy Peter Taylor)