The crew of Croix des Gardes are settling into their life afloat. The wind has finally turned to our tail and we are running downwind at 5kts towards our mandatory turn off the Canaries. The last yacht is disappearing from sight on the southern horizon and we are alone in the ocean.
We dropped back in the race overnight, but we were always here as participants, not combatants, and have already ceded 10hrs on the other boats as we did not do a feeder race. We poled out the genoa and put a restrainer on the boom so giving us a smoother and quieter ride. We're also towing a water generator and that takes another half knot off the speed.
Soon after yesterday's start, the winds became fickle and the swell rose causing the main to flog until several sliders broke. Now the main is rather classically lashed to the boom and drawing well.
Elizabeth had a distresed hour yesterday feeling queasy, but a pod of common dolphins playing off the bow lifted our spirits and she devoured her supper. We intend to cross in style and had a chorizo, tomato and capsicum stew with new potatoes and salad.
Sleeping is proving a challenge with the constant rolling ten to fifteen degrees each way. James says it takes a few days to adjust, but it means we all got to watch Venus rising as a shooting star pierced the inky night.
After all these years I can now track you daily! .
ReplyDeleteDespite the water cooler you are still third from last and should be watching the next boat up to your S. Your skipper is doing a good job! Dad xxxxxxxxx
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