Simon Rowell and his crew arrived home to rapturous cheers at Noirmont and, later, at the Albert Pier, having finished in third place in the penultimate leg of the round-the-world yacht race.
The race had been delayed by more than three days, dusk was turning to dark and arch-rivals Bristol had finished a place higher – but all that was thrown to the considerable wind when the 60-ft Jersey yacht arrived home.
A large crowd gathered on the Albert Pier – many who had previously stood on the headland or sat in their cars as Jersey crossed the finish line off Noirmont Point – and gave the boat a rapturous cheer as she came alongside.
Then the champagne flowed, the inter-boat banter began and friends and family hugged their beaming, if slightly dishevelled, loved ones.The fleet will set sail again at 6 am tomorrow.
The eight yachts will then race to Holyhead, which is worth eight points to the winner, where they will regroup before sprinting into Liverpool, which is worth four points to the top yacht.
Only Bristol and Jersey can take the overall crown – following their second place, Richard Butler and his crew on Bristol now have a two-point advantage over Jersey.
