International SIB expedition

[Richard B]

September 2002 Isles Chausey, France.

A tough challenge, and only the toughest would survive this test. Selection criteria were stringent, with priority given to those who had completed the Round Ireland 2002 challenge. But would they be able to handle the awesome power to weight ratio of a SIB? There's an idea, Awesome - what about her crew? They'll be up to the challenge!

[Keith Hart]

How about the Orkney SIB challenge 2003?

Keith (count me in) Hart

[Richard B]

The venue:

[Richard B]

Keith - you're quick off the mark!

Richard (wait for it...) B

- sorry, do you mind me borrowing your brackets?

[Richard B]

Now SIBs, as you know, are a serious business, so the RIBs can be left to the younger members of the family...

So with Lisa driving the RAB (rigid aluminium boat), Andy can be trained up on the SIB stuff...

[Richard B]

And they're off!!!

The round Ireland Team lead the way in Pepper II...

(That's Tom Montgomery-Swan at the helm, Simon navigating from the rear, but has Paul Lemmer fallen overboard?)

[Richard B]

No, it's OK - they've swapped the helm under way (a very dangerous manoeuvre in a SIB)...

And a thumbs-up from Simon means that they're almost on the plane (they wish!)

[Richard B]

...but not far behind are Andy and Jason, the Awesome team!

[Richard B]

But it's soon pit-stop time for these highly tuned beasts, and Geoff (www.boatlaunch.co.uk) can't help but take notes on the launching possibilities:

[Richard B]

...and the SIBs are lined up for the eager press to snap away: