Race 13 - Day 8
Crew Diary - Race 13 Day 8
09 July

North Atlantic. Saturday 6th July. 1am.

In the early hours of the morning the wind really picks up. Boat buffeted about in the waves. The roar of water as we surf down the big ones. The scream of the wind in the rigging. Lying on my top bunk, I can’t sleep, it’s like being inside a washing machine, bouncing from side to side unpredictably. My bunk is angled up by 40 plus degrees, nearly to the ceiling, to stop me falling out when we lurch to starboard, leaning over so Idon’troll out onto the floor below and risk injury.

What a contrast to the sunshine of yesterday with moderate winds, waiting for the low to hit, waiting for this. The boat feels solid as it bounces around on the waves, which is a relief. It’s exciting and a fresh experience for a new ‘legger’.

I can hear the rain on the deck and think about family holidays in a caravan in Wales as a kid. I’ll be on watch in two hours - I’m looking forward to experiencing the ride firsthand from the deck. I can hear the excited voices of the current watch on deck above the wind as they discuss possible sail changes in case the wind strengthens further.

This wind is our good luck. We have been due some, after a challenging first half of the race in which the milder wind hasn’t always been kind to us. We have now headed further north than the other teams, seeking better wind in an attempt to climb back up the leader board. So far, it seems the plan is working.

Saturday. 3pm.

Full foulies on to go on deck in the dark. We arrive one by one as the previous watch sits on the low side waiting to hand over to us. Quick briefing and they go down below to get some sleep in the four hours before they are back on watch.

We are moving fast through the water, riding the waves with the Code 3 spinnaker and single reefed main pulling us through.

The bow dips with spray flying across the foredeck -then another long roar as we surf down a long wave, tons of water churning down both sides as the hull pushes it aside with incredible force from the sails. The sea, brutal and vast around us, whipped up into angry waves which rise high behind us from behind and then sweep under the boat and appear above the bow in front of us.

For two of us it’s our turn on grinder duty, waiting by the main grinder to react quickly and trim the Code 3 if needed at a moment’s notice. Quick reactions could make the difference between a good spinnaker and a ripped one. We are listening for the command “grind” to jump into action and sheet in the sail, normally when it is flapping and temporarily out of control.

Ryan calls for us to shake out the reef as the wind eases a little. We prepare, checking who’s doing what, and then jump into action. The reef comes out, the main is now at full size, and we accelerate in the dark down the next wave.

The ride continues throughout our watch as we storm towards Scotland on an arc across the North Atlantic. I’m sure there will be plenty more wind along the way.