Wet and windy!
OceanHobo
Ivan Campbell
Wed 8 Dec 2010 16:45
13:09.000N 42:07.000W
Date: Wednesday, 08 December [13:30
UTC]
Facts and figures:
We are now 1090 miles away from St Lucia and
we are still firmly in the grasp of the E-NE trade winds. For three days now, we
have been able to maintain good daily runs of 140, 134 and 180 miles
respectively.
Before dark on Tuesday evening, we removed
the down-wind running sails as we needed to put a little more northing into our
direction. Winds strengthened overnight and we were hitting boat speeds of over
10 knots. Messrs Jimmy and Dermot – during their 04:00 – 08:00 watch claimed the
speed record of 10.2 knots (Speed over ground). Throughout Wednesday morning, we
continued to experience strong E-NE winds which were gusting in excess of 30
knots at times. Sustained winds were being held at F6 – F7. The seas are
building and we have had a few waves crash into the otherwise dry cockpit. Heavy
rain showers have been experienced too and the sailing conditions – albeit warm
and humid, resembles sailing to Islay or Jura on a typical N.Ireland summer’s
day!
Messrs Jimmy and Dermot have lodged written
complaints to skipper Ivan. In summary, they are claiming damages in respect of
the following ailments:
We acknowledge the many emails that continue to hit our inbox daily. We
cannot reply to all of these, but thank everyone who is following the ARC and
our position with interest (must be better than “X-Factor” and “I’m a Celebrity”
in any event!) and providing us with information, jokes and support too.
Continued support from Coleraine Yacht Club and the Royal Ulster Yacht Club is
noted.
We note that we are approximately 16 miles behind ‘Windflower’, so we have
her in our sights. Whilst we may not be in the running for any of the major
prizes, we are holding our own race.
Hard sailing conditions for all presently. The yacht is handling impeccably
in these seas and we are sailing her hard ensuring that we do justice to the
yacht’s ability in addition to the crew’s desire to pick up the places we lost
in the early stages of the race due to light winds and adverse tides. We are
currently sailing under reefed genoa, main and mizzen. Big quartering seas with
some large confused cross-swells too. The sun has come out too - Ocean sailing
at its best!
Kind regards from Skipper Ivan and the
crew. |