My Fastnet on Nicorette

Europe Gold medallist Shirley Robertson reports on sailing the Fastnet Race on Ludde Ingvall's maxi

I've never been so pleased to be in Plymouth. When they say the Fastnet race is like a mini Everest, I can now understand it.

I sailed aboard Nicorette, a 79ft maxi boat, with water ballast and more sails than I have shoes. Inside she was a stark contrast to Skandia Leopard, the boat I had been racing in Cowes Week, completely stripped for racing and all black, not an electric toilet in sight.

Having sat on the rail for six-hour stints since Sunday night with waves breaking over my head I arrived in Plymouth feeling exceedingly damp and oh-so-itchy round the edges. You could not have paid me enough money to get back on board. I'm now clean, very tired but struggling to sit down.

Of course it wasn't all bad. The sun shone as we passed the Scilly Isles and finally we could dry out a bit. A school of dolphins escorted us through their territory. Passing the Fastnet rock in the middle of a very dark windy and rainy night was impressive, as was Bishop Rock in the sunshine. Passing boats going out to the rock as we were reaching towards the Scillies on our way home convinced me I'd never do it again on a small boat.

Don't tell my mum but you get to do lots of naughty things on an offshore race and nobody says anything. I was able to eat sweeties, chocolate biscuits and Pot Noodles for three days and not feel guilty about it. Brushing my teeth? No way.

From a racing standpoint, watching Morning Glory (our main competitor throughout the race) emerge out of the fog just four miles from the finish was incredible. They had been ahead of us since before the rock, and we had been trying everything to close the gap. When they appeared behind us the race really was on. The breeze was light with puffs coming in from behind. As Morning Glory began to claw us back in we had three sail changes - including a spinnaker for the first time in the race - and essentially match raced them to a very close finish. It does somehow seem very strange that after such a long race it was so close in the end.

I steered for a bit both at night and during the day. Steering at night is not as easy as it looks. Hit a wave (you can't see) badly and you lose half a knot of boat speed. With all the instruments aglow on the back of the mast you can't hide the evidence as everyone on board can see.

So what did I learn? How a good crew manages to concentrate and change gears. Although tiredness always calls, never give up - all ways look for the edge. It was a pleasure to sail with the experienced crew and skipper. Ludde Ingvall, even looks a bit like Captain Kirk in Star Trek and as far as I am concerned he certainly commands the same amount of respect.

And personally? I'm delighted to report that for the first time ever, I wasn't seasick. Some people said I should try wristbands. Some said stick-on patches were the solution. Taking no chances, I tried both. I have no idea which one did the trick but the scourge, it seems, is cured.

Back again in two years time? I'll have to answer that when my bottom's not so pink.