Currently just approaching the last of the Ice Markers... we've been
having a right laugh (in our shorts and teeshirts) about the wall of
ice, just 8 miles to Port and what would happen if we actually ran
into it. (Note-race committee - we're just jesting!)
Last 48 hours have been lots of sunshine, Starboard kite / A0 reach in
15knots of wind. Pata Negra loves this with its hard chine and wide
transom and we've had speeds upto to 16.5 knots (by Scarlett). Sea is
incredibly flat considering the currents and we're in the middle of
the atlantic.
Andy's been working extremely hard again after the holding tank to the
Starboard heads blocked. Sorting this out was a huge task and an
extremely messy / smelly one. He's bullet proof though and worked his
way through it (getting a full fresh water shower at the end). He gave
himself a full covering of alcoholic hand sanitiser just to make sure
too! We're in good shape now till the end of the race we hope.
On the weather situation, things are difficult. The high pressure
building ahead means the second half of this race is going to be VERY
SLOW! Simulations show we expect to finish between Thursday and
Saturday (13th July). This is does mean that Giles (who owns the
boat) can't also do the RORC St Malo race on the 12th of July, some of
the pro crew are missing their next ride / delivery and Rob & Mark may
not make the airport to get back to Australia. On the other hand,
the simulations also so a massive depression forming in the middle of
the atlantic late next week which means the slower boats will catch us
up (though it looks rough for them). Depressions are difficult to
forecast though this far out and it may change dramatically...
hopefully giving us some wind up the english channel!
After all the work this morning, the others covered my watch whilst I
caught up on some sleep. Jens (who shares my watch) has been a
brilliant buddy throughout the last week. I'm often below getting the
meals ready so others cover and Jens is alway there ready to help.
He's from Finland where his love of sailing means he frequently sails
alone around the Baltic and has dreams one day of single handed non
stop circumnavigation. Certainly got the strength of character for
such a challenge.
So we press on trying to catch / keep up with Teasing Machine & The
Kid ahead of us. In 40 miles though, good bye Ice Markers - Hello
North Atlantic Ocean.
Chris on Pata Negra (not so smelly pig now)