Riders of the storm
With a storm to ride out, the crew weren’t able to keep sending in a blog each day. So, we’ve collated the skipper’s daily logs into one blog to give an idea of what it’s like to be in a storm.
Bracing for the Storm – Day 3 Skipper’s Log
Date : 02/11/19
Time : 12:00 UT
Position :45.37 N 006.57W
Position : Biscay, 180nm to Finisterre
Destination : Las Palmas
ETA : 14th November 2019
DTF : 12500nm
Fuel : 2 full, 1 in use. 1MT
Water : 3 full, 1 in use
Gas : 4 full, 1 in use
Notes and comments :
Heavy past 24 hours with 35-40 knots on the nose, plenty of water over the deck and plenty of rains and squalls. Everything is pretty wet at the moment. Much seasickness for everyone so all a bit of struggle, everyone keen to get across Biscay now and make for the sunshine. Overall everyone digging deep and getting on with the slog.
We are now bracing for the midnight storm with 50 knots due.
The Storm – Day 4 Skipper’s Log
Date : 03/11/19
Time : 12:00 UT
Position :43.32 N 006.48W
Position la Coruna
Destination : Las Palmas
ETA : 14th November 2019
DTF : 1030 00nm
Fuel : 2 full, 1 in use. 1MT
Water : 3 full, 1 in use
Gas : 4 full, 1 in use,
Notes and comments :
As predicted it was a tough 24hrs with 40 knots all day before the low pressure system hit us around 2000hrs last night. For the next 10 hours we had 50 knots plus with highest wind recorded as 73kts over the deck. We were well into F12, hurricane force. The sea was unimaginable but we got through with no injuries except the odd bruise or scrape.
I reduced crew numbers down to a minimum in the cockpit on safety grounds as we weathered the storm. We had the storm stay up and at its strongest point both stay sheets parted leaving us with a flogging storm stay.
With Lindsey on the helm and supported by one crew member I managed to get the storm stay down and lashed.
Full credit goes to Lindsey who did an amazing stint on the helm while I navigated and gave her heads up of further squalls approaching.
Numerous lifejackets were actuating as everyone is so wet. Things started to improve around 0700hrs but we still have a big sea state.
Spanish SAR came and spent 10-15 minutes hovering over us, chatting just making sure we were all fine which was reassuring for all.
These photos were taken by the Spanish Coastguard
Crew are doing fine and enjoyed the Biscay element so far despite its toughness. My assessment told me that we now need to make for La Coruna for some rest and recovery.
My crew are just starting to show signs of needing a break before we have an accident. Lindsey and I definitely need some recovery time. The boat is a mess as you can expect. Below we need to dry out and clean. Emailed La Coruna earlier today who have confirmed my berth.
Landfall in La Coruna, Spain, after the storm
Evening/night all
The awesome Challenger 2 has arrived into La Coruna at 2100 with lines made fast.
Crew have been awesome and all are looking back on last night’s fun and games with fond memories and even better stories.
We caught the start of the second weather system coming into Biscay on our way here. Crew commented that it was nothing as was only half the strength of yesterday.
We are now tucking into a late night curry before the night time activity of flaking the mainsail in the dark.Plan for tomorrow is to have a good clean in the morning with jobs before crew get some time to go and explore.
We are definitely not a group of individuals but a complete team and crew of Challenger 2.
What a difference a day makes – Day 5
Some will remember the old crooner’s song ‘what a difference a day makes, 24 little hours’ and it certainly did for the crew of Challenger 2.
After several days of storm force conditions in Biscay we were tired wet and less than cheerful. However arriving in La Coruna immediately boosted our spirits. So much that we ate the first full meal most of had managed to keep down since crossing the Channel, some even asked for ‘a second helping’; shades of Oliver Twist. Then a good night’s sleep, a hearty breakfast and a hot shower. In less than 12 hours we certainly felt the difference.
Our ‘happy hour’ of cleaning went like a breeze and with our kit being dried in the launderette and everyone in a bar enjoying a beer we really were ‘feeling the difference’ . A superb tapas meal later that evening completed our ‘24 little hours’.
Those who know the song lyric will recall that it continues ‘and the difference is you’ but in our case it’s not the case. We started from Gunwharf less than 6 days previously as an eclectic group of individuals but we are now a team, the crew of Challenger 2. The ‘difference is us …….’
Ian Jenkinson, Carsington Sailing Club Derbyshire
Skipper’s Log
Date : 05/11/19
Time : 14:00 UT
Position :43.25 N 08:35W
Position : Finisterre
Destination : Rubicon, Lanzarote
ETA : 11th November 2019
DTD: 910NM
Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use.
Water : 3 full, 1 in use
Gas : 4 full, 1 in use,
Notes and comments :
We’ve been busy this morning refuelling and getting out to sea. Nice two nights in La Coruna and all enjoying drying out, having showers and a good meal ashore. Right decision I think to take some R&R.
For the rest of us we are having a lovely sail around Finisterre, chicken goujons wraps for lunch in the sunshine on deck, have had some heavy squalls and the rain of course but at the moment life is good with chilli con carne booked for tonight. We have also reserved a table at the Argentinian steak house in Las Palmas for our last night!
The weather is looking good for the rest of the trip.
More blogs about this Atlantic Adventure can be read here: Portsmouth to Gran Canaria
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