Disaster was narrowly averted at the start of this year’s Royal Escape when competitors came close to Brighton’s Palace Pier
Spectators watched in mounting excitement as yachts were caught in stays in the lee of the Palace Pier as the strong flood tide pushed them towards potential disaster moments after the start of the Royal Escape Race 2017.
The organisers started the race close the shore leaving the yachts with difficult manoeuvring to round the pier safely in the rising stiff easterly breeze and with the prospect of a long beat to the Greenwich lightship, which lies some 25 miles off Brighton marking the the start of the shipping lanes to Dover Strait.
This annual race organised Sussex Yacht Club commemorates the journey made by Charles II escaping after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 during the English Civil War, landing in Fecamp, Normandy after the 70 mile crossing.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous with the strong sunshine adding to the pleasure of the warm weather.
This year the start was delayed until 10 am because of silting at nearby Brighton Marina making for a later crossing than usual.
On arrival in Fecamp there is plenty to do and see if this charming Normandy port.
And the beach is lovely too…
Back out on the water the sailors are doing there best to arrive as quickly as possible…
And finally a last image of our spectator back in Brighton after all the yachts have gone..
I like it.
nice pics.