Sat 23rd May
Global Yacht Racing's EH01
Global Yacht Racing - sponsors: Caspian Services
Sat 23 May 2009 12:29
We are now speeding along the southern fringes of the conveyor belt of depressions which pass along this area of ocean with some regularity. We have wind gusting up to 40 knots from behind. If we had to beat into this weather it would be hell...but we don't and we should be clocking up 200+ mile days. The added bonus is that it hasn't rained...yet? I figure this low should blow through within the next 12 hours leaving a steady 20 knots from the west, meaning we can hoist more sail. Currently we are running under just a deep reefed main. Surprisingly the boat is very well balanced and controllable. As the wind increased last night we were forced to drop the poled out genoa as helming was far too physical a job for such a short handed crew. Constant boat speeds of 12 knots couldn't persuade me to leave it up but it was fun whilst it lasted....a real sleigh ride. Now only 1206 nautical miles to the needles....steak and eggs with a pint.
Justin