3^rd Dec – Day 8 – 12:50 UTC

 

We have tacked south for the last 24 hrs. This move is based on our most recent grib chart analysis which suggests minimal wind from the 4^th on our original course. Last night was interesting in that we had three yachts around us – remarkable after 1000 miles! That said, we are anticipating a ‘coming together’ of the fleet in the coming days as the boats that went south and north for the first week start to route up and down towards St. Lucia.

 

The more domesticated of us on board have started washing and drying our ‘smalls’ now, a sure sign of being a week at sea! We cleaned out the fridge yesterday and threw out the remainder of our fresh meet. Despite removing and washing every item of the fridge contents, the smell still lingers. Flocks of flying fish have become a common occurrence and a particular passion of Richard’s as he tries to capture a picture of them in flight – as of a few minutes ago, he was reporting success but we shall wait till we see proof!

 

Ships time is now UTC -2 and the routine on board is firmly established. We have Italian Cake and Champers for our halfway point which we estimate we will pass late tomorrow afternoon. It will be all downhill after that.

 

Analysis of progress suggests we have moved up to 9^th in our class with Lilly, the boat in 8^th place 69 miles ahead. Unfortunately, positions 10 – 17 are all within another 69 miles of us so we will be watching our backs! Of the eight Irish boats, on uncorrected time we are in 4^th with the rest a long way back. Ahead of us are Dreamcatcher (Dublin), Sabina (Galway) and Navillus (Tralee). Our handcap is better than all of theirs so we shall see, a lot as always will depend on where the wind comes from in the coming days. We continue to delay running in deference to our damaged pole and are engineering (with the help of the wind) to continue to reach with the wind on our beam most of the time. We spent a couple of hours beating this morning on the back of an un-forecast southerly wind.

 

 

Fleet Update Received from ARC Control this morning……

 

181 - FARO

 

Not able to charge batteries. Will therefore only report position 1 x per week, unless other yachts able to relay.

 

242 - CETUS

 

Have broken main boom. Continuing under headsails.

 

179 - BASIA.

 

Broken battens and cars on mainsail. Continuing under headsails.

 

24 - ICARUS

 

Broken boom. Continuing under headsails.

 

40 - EQUINOX

 

Had previously reported broken boom. Continuing under headsails.

 

219 - KAISO

 

Diverted to Sao Vicente, CapeVerdes. ETA first light 04/12.

 

Water leak thru keel bolts. Currently under control using pumps.

 

Engine not working so cannot charge batteries.

 

No assistance currently required.

 

Yachts Still in Canaries

 

254      Jigsaw of Gosport

 

73        Walross IV

 

49        Flying Teapot

 

Casualty from AAG BIG ONE will arrive in Las Palmas late tomorrow.