Dolphins like these!Thursday 24 November: As I am typing I can hear the sound of feet on the deck, sheets being ground on and grunts of happiness, I think its happiness anyway, as Nic’s watch grind the Yankee over in preparation to gybe, drop the starboard pole and raise the port pole and re-set the Yankee 2.
On this gybe, all of us will have the opportunity to become best friends with the starboard side of our bunks, and for some the use of our starboard lee cloths, strap in all, including teddy bears, that means you, Uncle Albert.
Lunch was another success, thanks to Yana and several helpers, I can recommend the date & sultana loaf yum yum.
Well, I’m off for some zzzzzzz after a great morning watch with good speeds and at times we were even on course, only kidding Watch you were awesome. As the day broke it was odds on the rain may come, but the sun prevailed and should make for a pleasant afternoon, enjoy Nic’s watch.
Snoozetime
Peter (Watch leader – the best-looking watch, of course)
Greeted by Dolphins
A great afternoon sailing, with poled out head sail, wind on the beam and 18kts of breeze. A following swell adds interest to the helming but the coaching of Ricky and Kirstie has helped enormously. We were very fortunate to be visited by a pod of about 50 dolphins who demonstrated their agility effortlessly, playing at the bow and leaping around in the swell. Camera work was tricky. On a heaving deck and camera shy dolphins we ended up with a selection of photos of washing on the guard rail, the insides of pockets and seascapes.
There is a rumour that Nic has captured a ‘fin’ shaped splash in one of the 200 shots he fired off in the 10-minute encounter. Referring to the photo, Nic was later heard bragging in the galley that he was going to “sell it to National Geographic.”
We now sit in 5th out of 12 in our racing division and 57th out of 220 overall. Challenger 2 and 4 still trailing in our wake has kept us on our toes with constant attention to our speed. Nic’s watch still hold the record at 13.2
A late squall came through, which suddenly clashed with a number of urgent tasks that required immediate attention below decks, including a phone that needed charging and a cup of tea that was on the edge of going from tepid to lukewarm. This ‘exodus’ left three, soaking, witless watch members steering the ship and embrace mother nature in all her force.
Nic, Hilary, John and Tony of B Watch (Widely regarded as the fastest Watch)
1800 – 0000 Watch
14knots (tactful surf) – sorry Nic J
Kirstie, Mate, Challenger 3
Challenger 3 leading the Challenger RallyFriday 25 November – Night Shift
At around midnight Captain Ricky called for a gybe so that we could move further north toward what are expected to be more reliable winds. This would require a series of coordinated moves in the pitch black on a rolling deck in a force 6. Shortly into the operation the boat was hit by a monsoon, lashing the crew with rain and causing the wind direction to become unpredictable.
As conditions became more hazardous the tasks leading to the gybe were stopped to allow the wind to settle. Soaked to the bone, cold and miserable, the crew were huddled together murmuring in the cockpit like tramps around a fire in a squat. Mutiny could not be far away. That was until a packet of Wine Gums was located in the treats cupboard. In a Neanderthal like manner, the crew set about the Wine Gums.
With the wind settled, the rain abating and spirits soaring, we managed to complete the gybe, setting our course for fairer winds and with it, hopefully, victory.
Tony – the finder of the Wine Gums, aka the hero of the Atlantic. Challenger 3. Out.
Sqauls and more Squals
Finally a good nights/off watch sleep. And no wonder!
At the end of my midnight watch, we decided to gybe to keep ourselves in the narrow stream of stronger winds to the north.
With the Yankee blown through to the correct side and the pole down, all was set in the rolly, black seas to gybe. However torrential rain brought shifty winds, and Ricky on the helm, we hunkered down to ride it out. The 10-minute squall lasted a good 30 – 40 minutes, by which time every inch of skin was not only wet but actually running with water.
As the winds calmed we carried on with gybe, and the new pole set the Yankee sped us up into the faster winds.
Spanish Omelette and sunshine for breakfast J Happy days!
Kirstie, Mate, Challenger 3
First Class Training and Adventures All Year
In case you didn’t know First Class Sailing provides the full range of RYA sailing courses, plus a huge variety of yachting experiences – including sailing the ARC yacht to Las Palmas via the Bay of Biscay and back across the Atlantic to the UK from Antigua.
The company has been awarded a Trip Advisor certificate of excellence three years running.
Sailing holidays to various parts of the world are on offer, including Norwegian fjord cruises next year and participation in races such as the 2017 ARC Rally, The Rolex Fastnet – a race from Cowes to Ireland, finishing in Plymouth – and the Round the Island race circumnavigating the Isle of Wight.
Anyone wishing to book a place at the 2017 ARC with First Class Sailing should contact Charlie Tulloch on 0203 006 3717 or via email [email protected]
