Chris Bull's passion for sailing was originally fired by a Burnham-based uncle, but inshore sailing has taken a back seat for this offshore devotee through a succession of yachts from the Sigma 33 'Kusima' to the Prima 38 'Primadonna' and now the Ker 11.3 'Kerisma'. Indeed Chris, a retired finance director of an international mining company, has enjoyed some notable successes; in 2000 he won the RORC Class 1 points title and finished runner-up in both the Round Britain and Ireland and the Sydney-Hobart.

When the Race1 Ker 11.3 project was announced toward the end of 2000, Chris was one of the four original backers and took delivery of his Vision Yachts-built boat in June last year. As the 2002 season approached, thoughts turned towards the Rolex Commodores' Cup and with more time on his hands - because he no longer had to virtually commute to Australia with his work - Chris decided to have a go at the inshore season.

Chris and Graham Sunderland devised a squad system for 2002 and began experimenting with new crewmembers and a new wardrobe of North Sails. With the yacht's designer Jason Ker helming for much of the early season and Sam North from North Sails (no relation!) on board, the long process of tuning and refining began. The Warsash series and Red Funnel Easter regattas combined with extensive two-boat and Sunday training sessions bore early fruits as a victory at the IRM Spring Cup concurred. By the time the selection series for the Rolex Commodores' Cup began, the 'Kerisma' team was coming together.

Expectations were heightened following a good result in the heavily points weighted Morgan Cup and another top showing in the inshore races of the Royal Thames Trials regatta. However, a combination of missing crewmembers and a slight deficiency in headsails at the IRC nationals made for a middling result and a nervous wait for the selector's verdict. Monday July 1 was a good day and chairman of selectors lain Macdonald-Smith's decision was relayed via the RYA's Dave Atkinson that 'Kerisma' was invited to represent the England Red team alongside the First 40.7 'Fandango' and the Farr 52 'Bear of Britain'.

With selection secured, final preparations could begin to get 'Kerisma' to the start line in tip-top condition. The RYA, in the form of Dave Atkinson and Guy Barron, offered crew training with video and photograph sessions while two new UK Sails headsails were ordered. The final full regatta was in the light weather of Cork Week and served as a testing ground for the sails and crew.

Returning to Cowes and a rented townhouse, the final crew was decided and comprised Joe Llewellyn (steering) - who recently came fifth in the ISAF worlds and is pursuing a 49er campaign - Graham Sunderland (navigator/tactician), Nick Hutton (bow), Phillip Smith (aka Big Red, mast), Crispin Winser (pitman), Nigel Wakefield (trim one), Luke Bradley (trim two) and David Munge/Graeme Handley (mainsheet), with Chris floating between afterguard and cockpit. Interestingly, the Commodores' Cup was the first time that Chris had ever paid a crewmember - although he sounds like more than a generous off-the-water provider!

Over the season the team had built up a large file of notes and tuning guides aided by their Brookes and Gatehouse equipment and Seatrack software, but possibly its greatest improvement was holding frank daily debriefings. The onshore regime was strict with analysis of both the races and crew positioning followed by calm evening restaurant meals - to ensure that 'Kerisma' was nearly always the first out on the water the next day.

By the time the boat was in the starting zone, the team had done a full weather and tide analysis, selected the optimum sail inventory and checked and rechecked every minor detail of the boat to give themselves the best chance for success. With a season of top-flight racing and training and with the aid of the designer, sailmakers and hardware specialists behind them, the team hit the line in the best shape it had been all season.

The series was run in predominantly light, Mediterranean-style, breezes and with a vicious set of Spring tides, the inshore races saw desperately close battles up and down the fleet often resulting in dead-heats after the handicap was applied. There were few complaints from the 'Kerisma' crew, though, who felt that race officer Jamie Wilkinson ran an excellent series with fair start and finishing lines and well-set courses. Not being a fan of windward-leeward courses, Chris enjoyed the tidal factor that made long beats up the shorelines a feature of the event.

Running the whole fleet together off the start lines inevitably produced three flights with the smaller boats suffering dirty air for longer, but once the larger Farr 52s had got going the Ker 11.3s were left to fight it out with the Farr 40 and other similar rated boats. This is where Chris felt the format might be up for consideration for change with the possibility of running separate starts for the slower and faster boats - although 'Kerisma' wasn't overly affected once the race was underway.

The highlight of the week for Chris was the finish of the offshore race, despite the lack of wind, as the boats concertina’d up just off No Man's Land Fort. The tension was almost unbearable as the fleet entered the Solent but 'Kerisma' made good gains and was the second Ker 11.3 home. That level of excitement and the 'chess game' of sailing are obviously what makes Chris and his team tick and made those Sunday training sessions all worthwhile.

Overall the England Red team came in a very creditable third place behind the all conquering French team and the Dutch and Chris was quick to point out that the French thoroughly deserved their win. 'Kerisma' finished as the middle ranking boat of the England team in 16th overall just ahead of 'Bear of Britain' while David Scanlan's 'Fandango' was the star performer coming in a commendable fourth. Chris commended the attitude of his fellow team members in their level of commitment and co-operation throughout the series, although team tactics were never employed owing to the relative speeds of the three boats.

Being a RORC enthusiast, Chris was also encouraged to see boats competing from Ireland, Wales, France, Holland, Belgium, Spain and the Commonwealth and felt that the event has gained a great deal of standing internationally with a very high standard of competition. After the prize giving, with limbs and mind tired and exhausted - and with a campaign cost that he'd rather not think about - I asked the question, 'Would you do it again?' Short pause,'Yes I think I would.'