Race 12 - Day 14
Crew Diary - NEW YORK, USA TO DERRY-LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND
04 July
It's the second of two night watches for Port watch and we are currently beating upwind into more wind than forecast. Conditions are pretty cold and crashy but at least the persistent drizzle that has plagued us for the last few day has finally ceased. For those of us who sailed the Pacific the conditions are not on the same level but it's still pretty heely, wet and damp right now for us all.
More wind is a first for us this race as we have spent much of it frustratingly floating around in light fluffy variable stuff which lead most recently to Visit Seattle sailing underneath to overtake us. Confirming that we are a magnet for wind holes and that they could set the GRIBS to show one wherever we are headed.
On our previous watch we had reefed the main down to reef 2 and had dropped the Yankee 1 in favour of the 2. A fun headsail change was had, somehow Henrik ended up B1 then myself B2 Abbie B3 and Carolin B4 though described as looking like we were been thrown around like rag dolls (thanks Skipper Max) the sail change went well. The hair though that was already in desperate need of a wash is now saltier than ever.
Starboard watch took the middle shift and they had a bit of a rough one with winds increasing further they opted to drop the Yankee 2 and just sail with the main and staysail to enable them to point higher. From what I can gather the Yankee 2 then decided to go for a dip meaning a quick tack was needed and bodies were sent forward for a wash and to recover the sail whilst we down below were hollered at to secure our lea cloths so that no one took flight.
With Derry-Londonderry approaching and moving boat time to UTC thoughts are turning to the end of the race and life after. There are days when some are finding it hard to truly appreciate this last leg as home and the end of this experience seems so close yet so far away. Henrik and Nic have already started party planning for the next races in order to keep us all motivated round Scotland and from Den Helder and with a long break in Derry-Londonderry to look forward to, this Atlantic crossing has tested us all in different ways. I am super looking forward to seeing the parents in Derry-Londonderry and even the youngest brother is making an appearance so will be another fun stopover. Plus there is a small bonus of having your sister (on Garmin) always arriving into port before you, she has to sort the accommodation!
P.s So we have just re hoisted the Yankee 2 as the wind is still shifting hopefully we will finish the day with a spinnaker up downwind sailing and smiles on people’s faces.
P.p.s Janey we saw whales! Looked like pilot whales they surfaced a couple of times right across our path.