Rolex Fastnet Race: Rambler owner and crew interviewed in Baltimore

Sailing

6:12 PM Thu 18 Aug 2011 GMT 'Rambler 100 capsize Fastnet Rock August 2011' Nigel Millard/RNLI Baltimore Driving into Baltimore village on a bright and sunny Tuesday morning, it was hard to believe that the weather the day before was so gristly that the emergency services had difficulty locating the twenty-one sailors whose boat, the Rambler 100, had capsized during the Fastnet Yacht Race. In the early morning, as the village was slowly coming to life, the twenty male members of the crew - the only female member was in a hospital in Kerry and making a good recovery from hypothermia - were easily identifiable by the fact that they were busy hanging their red and black all-weather gear out to dry on the railings of their temporary new homes in Mariner's Cove. Inside one of the large and attractively-furnished houses, the crew, all grouped together, seemed relaxed but alert, as if still on duty. They continued to work, doing whatever needed to be done: They washed their gear, put the last of their wet clothes into the tumble dryer, and prepared simple meals. By their actions, they demonstrated, more than words ever could, how it is possible for a crew of twenty-one people to equably live and work together in such close quarters - whatever the circumstances. Despite their ordeal the night before, none of the sailors - who came from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England and America - seemed to be suffering from shock. None of them spoke about their rescue in an overly-dramatic way. They all seemed stoic: Calm and quietly confident, but keen nevertheless to express their gratitude to everyone who participated in their rescue, and made them feel so welcome in Baltimore.