Trucial Coast, Day 3 - sealegs make an appearance
Andrew Hunt November 27th, 2007
Sealegs are starting to make an appearance now, although I’m not yet up to sitting below decks and typing up a quick copy of “War and Peace” (you’ll doubtless be pleased to hear that!). After carrying on through the night in a westerly direction, reaching in a Force 4 that swirled and eddied through the latter hours, trying to claw some minutes south whenever possible (and making a reasonable fist of it), we’ve now gybed and are running dead downwind with the genoa on the pole. It’s less uncomfortable and quicker than anticipated so not too much to complain about there. The idea is to follow this wind south where it is supposed to bend round and turn into the Trades (I think - not a meteorologist and fortunately in no way involved with deciding our course!!).
We’re starting to tweak our routine as we get used to things on board - shifted the day watches around to accommodate the various key tasks we each have: Rob, position reports, getting weather updates and planning the route and our radio net with a big group of other boats in the ARC; Ann - preparing our food (vital!!); Andrew - no specific chores, semi-intelligent ballast and general rope puller.
Other than that not much to report - no wildlife yesterday but a few dolphins on day 1. We always seem to have about 3 other ARC boats on the horizon and occasionally pass close, normally at night (which is, I believe, how ships are supposed to pass). I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a whale or two - forget New Zealand or South Africa, surely the best place to spot a whale is from a small yacht in the middle of the Atlantic?? I’ll keep you posted!
- General , Sail Race ARC , Staff Travels
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