October had a sting its tail and the only real breeze of the month knocked over some of the fleet of Cape 31s in the Hamble, on the UK south coast.
The fledgeling carbon fleet – that stole the show at this summer's Cowes Week – literally all fell over and were found leaning up against another thoroughbred racing machine, the Fast 40, Ran.
One of the reasons the boat, designed by Mark Mill of County Wicklow, is proving so attractive is its competitive one-design nature and its ultra light weight.
The four (or is it now five?) Irish buyers of the new One Design will be taking note that any dry sailing arrangement probably needs to include hard standing tie-downs.
