Ahoy dear followers!
Sun was shining all day. I think that pleased all of us drying out our wet weather gear, which was a bit salty! It was so good to see the speedo getting close to the 25 knots of speed quite often. We had a speed record of 24.8kts, then with a bit of heel on a surf, you got the stanchions cracking in the water, sending a huge amount of water from leeward. When also another few tons of water coming from the bow and from the windward side, then you know that you are on a racing boat! We have been quite lucky. I mean conditions were rougher than what we had since Liverpool, so there was a lot to learn for my pirates, but the moon right up in the sky gave us some light to see the waves.
Now we are dealing with the centre of a high-pressure system and it's corresponding light and shifting winds. You have to imagine that the swell is still here as it's takes some time to disappear but not much wind - it is difficult to see if you are on course or not as all instrument, due to the movements and the gravity of the boat, change and seem to be all over the place, including the windex.
All that with Greenings (Hey Andy) close by and trying to catch us back. We turn, they turn, we tack, they tack, and so on! I wish we have some canons, then no more Greenings! Boom, ciao!
Still plenty of miles to do and lots of tactics to apply. I am sure that the Race Viewer must be quite addictive now!
We had a good team meeting today, under the sun, explaining the tactics and making sure that everybody is happy. Now I hope that the wind will come back very soon on a nice angle to allow us to get as fast as possible in to Cape Town!
I don't do that much, but a special hello and lots of hugs and kisses to my Mamoushka who is in hospital today. All my thoughts to you Maman!
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GT out