Team Aparito Digital Health made history on 15 June when they took line honours in the Three Peaks Yacht Race - the first time in its 39 year history.
Team Aparito Digital Health has become the first all female team in the history of the Three Peaks Yacht Race to take line honours.
Lowrie Morgan and Jo Jackson crossed the finish line at Corpach Sea Lock on 15 June to secure the historic achievement.
Team skipper Pip Hare was asked what had made the difference.
“Teamwork!” she answered. “We have absolutely been there for each other all the time, all working together as a team. We’d never met or done anything together before, and Lowrie only saw the boat on the Friday before the race, but from the start we’ve worked hard together and it’s been a fantastic experience.”
Offshore sailor Nikki Curwen and ocean rower and sailor Elin Haf Davies completed the girls team onboard their J120.
They have promised to compete again, and might even take on the Tillman Trophy, where 4 of the 5 crew have to run at least one of the mountains.
There was clearly an extra spring in the step of these girls knowing they had beaten ocean sailing legend Dee Caffari and her recent Volvo Ocean Race crewmate Libby Greenhalgh, who were racing the Reflex 38 Sail 4 Cancer.
The second team across the line at this year’s race and the overall winners were Pure Attitude.
The overall winner – Pure Attitude. Credit: Rob Howard
They competed the Three Peaks Yacht Race in 3 days, 23 hours and 29 minutes.
The team were 39 minutes quicker than Aparito.
Third to finish were the X99 Wight Rose, whose runners Alex Pilkington and Pavel Paloncy smashed the King of the Mountains title for the best overall time on the three peaks – Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis.
The Tillman Trophy was won by the Southampton University OTC team.
Meanwhile, the Dee Caffari led Sail 4 Cancer team faced some pretty harsh conditions which hampered their progress.
“We had too little wind and too much wind, the team rowed, ran and cycled, there was down wind and upwind sailing and we navigated into some places where I was glad it was daylight!” stated Caffari.
“I can see why this race is addictive. It’s a crazy, nautical adventure, and it’s about much, much more than just sailing,” said the yachtswoman.
The three Peaks Yacht Race sees teams sailing 389 nautical miles, climbing 11,000 feet and walking or running 73 miles.
The route is from Barmouth to Fort William. During the race, competitors have to reach the top of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis by foot.
The race, which started in 1977, was established in honour of sailor and mountaineer Major HW Tilman.
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