Two seasons ago I was returning from a lovely day of sailing. It had been sunny all day and there still was a nice gentle breeze. I could hear the small waves comming of the bow.

Then I heard a loud Ploinck! I had heard all there is to hear on my lovely Iduna but I hadn't heard this sound before. Nervously I looked around. Was the mast on the verge of collapsing? Had the railing dissaperared?

Well, the mast was still standing, the sails had not changed position and the railing was still looking tight. As everything apeared to still be normal I got back to enjoying my sailing.

I crossed the bridge with the usual lack of wind and soon after this I found myself at the marina entrance. I pulled down the jib using the line that runs up to the top of the sail. No need to leave the cockpit here! Pulling down the main was a bit more hassle but one does get used to it. I started the outboard and entered the marina.

The approach to Iduna's berth was a bit awkward as allways but I managed nevertheless. I pointed the bow between the poles and hooked the aft lines on to the clamps.

With my usual ease I walked towards the bow, grabbing on to the stays with a routine that can only come from a lot of practice, counteracting the small boats movements. Suddenly I find myself swinging my legs and grasping for stuff to hold on to prevent my self from going over the side. My gracious boat walking routine had failed! Why???

After regaining my senses I immediatly realise that the small inner stay just in front of the mast is totally slack!
To this day I still haven't been able to work out why the bottom pin had been able to work itself free. I had been sailing a running course for quite some time so I don't find it strange that the tension in the stay had been low enough for the pin to slide out. But I can't understand why the retainer ring had dissapeared.

This event has shown me two things:

• Having a routine in doing stuff is valuable, it helps in doing stuff quickly. But just as important, if an outside event changes your routine it can put you in danger.
• Allways investigate strange sounds thoroughly!