Day One of the Advent Calendar will be spent drag racing towards the scoring gate. Four Clippers are in close contention as we calculate our optimum times based on speed, course, and distance. Seventy miles to go. The extra points would really make a difference in our overall position, and placing for Leg 3.
After a week of upwind sailing, living life on a steep angle, the wind finally came aft yesterday. This allowed us to sail downwind and hoist the spinnaker, creating a more comfortable and civilized life below decks. It was the first time this week I wore less than 3 layers while in my bunk or just sitting in the saloon. Not to mention the downwind conditions boosted our speeds considerably – which is the primary objective.
It paid off to see Cape Breton Island back in second place on the last schedule. Only miles apart from our other contenders, and seven miles from Spirit of Australia in first, we push onward to keep up the boat speed.
Energy levels of the crew are much higher since our downwind transition. Personally, I had my first deep sleeps, since leaving Cape Town, in the past 24 hours. Even two hours of quality sleep makes a big difference.
We flew the medium weight spinnaker for most of the day yesterday, helping us surf back up to second place. At dusk, the winds were increasing, so we decided to drop the spinnaker and pole out the Yankee two overnight. Not only does it provide a fast, stable sail plan, it is able to withstand higher wind strengths than the spinnaker. The other benefit was a great course towards the scoring gate.
It was a good decision. We had steady gusts over 35 knots, with a maximum reported gust of 48 knots! The surfing conditions we expected of the Southern Ocean held steady all night. The fastest boat speed down a wave was 21.8 knots!
We anxiously await the next report to see how the other Clippers fared out – the race is on!
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As I continue to sit on deck, I am grateful my hands have remained warm long enough to continue writing this diary. I have not been drenched by a wave. And to top it off, there is blue sky and sun for the first time I can remember.
It is the small things like this that turn a day around. These seemingly unimportant details provide an enjoyment that seems out of proportion. How often do you get drenched by a wave in everyday life? I don’t remember walking down the streets of Sydney being thankful I was warm and dry. These small, positive details, like a couple hours of sun, make it easier to endure the contrasting harsh, cold conditions.
While we focus on racing in our small, yet vast, ocean world, reminders of my land life arrive on board via e-mail. I am amused to hear that more than one known individual has risen from their sleep in the middle of the night just to check on Cape Breton Island’s position.
Support at that level means a lot. It drives me to get out of my own warm bunk at 1:30am when I am craving more sleep and dreading the cold. To know there are people at home pulling for us to win this race has an immeasurable impact on crew morale. Thank you!
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Minute by minute the excitement builds. As I am writing, the new schedule has just come through. CAPE BRETON ISLAND IS BACK IN FIRST PLACE!!!
Scoring gate, here we come!
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