EX MU is well underway and, despite some rough Atlantic weather and an encounter with a suspected drug gang, Skipper Giles Rice and his crew have safely completed leg three. St Barbara V is now in the Mediterranean and was last spotted off the coast of Malaga on leg 4.

The total trip involves 10 legs and is a wonderful opportunity for up to 90 gunners to experience some high-quality offshore sailing.

Summary of Leg Three from Skipper Giles Rice

Leg 3 began in Vigo, where the crew joined St Barbara V following the completion of Leg 1 from Gosport. After a short period to familiarise themselves with the yacht, complete victualling and settle aboard, the crew sailed south into the Atlantic, enjoying good sailing conditions and arriving in Cascais close to schedule.

Following a short stop in Cascais to resolve a GPS issue and allow some sightseeing, the yacht continued to Vilamoura, motor-sailing into persistent headwinds. The crew then departed for La Linea near Gibraltar, but encountered an unforecast storm with severe gale force 9 gusts while rounding Cape Trafalgar. After difficult conditions and heavy seas, the skipper diverted to Barbate to shelter from the weather, replace a damaged halyard and carry out essential repairs.

Once conditions improved, St Barbara V continued successfully to La Linea, taking advantage of favourable currents through the Strait of Gibraltar and making a brief fuel stop in Gibraltar. The crew enjoyed time exploring Gibraltar before departing eastwards along the Spanish coast.

The final passage included an overnight motor sail and a daytime anchorage near Marbella for swimming and lunch, before arriving in Benalmadena. The crew then spent their remaining time refuelling, carrying out maintenance tasks, cleaning the yacht and preparing St Barbara V for the arrival of Leg 4 crew.