Fog, strong winds and heavy rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of Pete Goss
and Paul Larsen as they completed their qualifying passage for the
two-handed Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race in lightning-quick
time.

Setting out from Weymouth late on Sunday night and sailing their SeaCart
30 for the first time in anger, the duo were off the Scilly Isles by
lunchtime the following day.

Grabbing moments of sleep on the multihull’s windward trampolines, Pete
and Paul kept the boat flying, returning to Weymouth and completing the
300-mile qualifying passage in just 24 hours – an incredibly fast time
that even surprised the two-man crew.

Pete Goss talked excitedly about the trip when he returned to Weymouth to
continue preparing the boat for next month’s 2,500-mile race. “The boat is
fantastic,” he said. “I always felt she was good, but the last 24 hours
has put the Round Britain Race in context – I think we are sitting on a
real smoking rocket.”

Pete and Paul are competing in the race to raise awareness and funds for
the Cornwall Playing for Success Charity, of which Pete is a founding
trustee.