Race 12 - Day 4
Crew Diary - NEW YORK, USA TO DERRY-LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND
24 June
With less than a month of sea time left it feels like every day should be savoured and enjoyed, as before long a year at sea will be over.
The last 24 hours have been wonderful. I started my 2am watch yesterday in the pouring rain surrounding by lightening with a full moon. It was the sort of rain that on a tarmac would bounce back up creating a grey mist on the road – that’s exactly what it did on the water, creating a slightly eerie feel with layers of grey and the sun quietly rising behind pale clouds.
As the day progressed the wind built until we had 45 knots for my 2pm watch. An opportune cup of coffee for Matt gave me access to the helm and the biggest waves we had seen since the Bass Strait. The sea was huge and allowed us to continually catch surfs over 20 knots resulting in covering 18NM in an hour. I expect this will be a personal best for Qingdao.
We had white water over the boat and helm, reminiscent of the North Pacific, and twice I was knocked off the helm by huge waves that tipped the boat over and drenched all the crew. Once off the helm I got hit by a big one and got knocked into the helming station pulling the pockets off and inflation my life jacket. I always think it’s a little alarming for the leggers when they see someone staggering down the companionway with an inflated life jacket!
One of the highlights yesterday had to be the wildlife. A hump back whale surfaced 2 metres from us on our starboard side. I was amazed we didn’t catch it with our keel, and later in the day we watched as 30+ dolphins jumped down a wave in perfect unison, one particularly athletic one decided to join us for a while and jump alongside.
The crew are slowly settling in, myself included. I spent most of my standby watch slumped on the saloon floor with a bucket next to me, through a combination of exhaustion and sea sickness. I am not alone, none of the Phoenix standby felt up to making dinner but luckily it was Kevin’s turn to cook so we were treated to a mushroom hot pot! Talking of food Frank (Qingdao, Leg 8) made us tomatoes and eggs for breakfast and it’s time for me to start lunch. Greek salad with cheese biscuits.
What has been particularly notable is the cross watch help over the last few days, and a big thank you to on watch Tigers Vitaly and Sarah for clearing up breakfast whilst Sophie and I repaired the Code 2.
Caroline