Race 11 - Day 14
Crew Diary - The Heat is On!
13 May
Welcome to the East Coast of North America (or as some might say, ‘merica!). Strong winds, large swells, powering down the East Coast with 10-15 knot hourly average speeds. Sliding and surfing, pushed and pulled, continuously trying to find the better plan to outrace 10 other similar Clipper Race yachts.
Three days ago daily life consisted of racing, staying fed, warm, dry and rested. 12 knot averages were possible. Now 6 knot averages would be great.
To start, it was cold and wet for hours on end, day and night, the race didn’t stop. At that time we looked forward to warmer climes while living and racing in the cold, the wet, the dark, at a 40 degree angle. At the mercy of the waves and swells. We longed to no longer need to manoeuvre into tight spaces, donning wet foulies after loading up on multiple base layers, hoping they would be enough to get us through the upcoming watch – one of five alternating watches over 24 hours: eat, sleep, sail, repeat.
Wouldn’t it be great to ditch the multilayered armour for shorts, t-shirts, hats and sunnies? To enjoy some warm and dry champagne sailing in the vast 360 degree mostly traffic-less Pacific, off the West Coast of ‘merica and Mexico down to Panama.
While we are finally making the transition and it has been great for a few days so far, especially ditching the cumbersome foulies, it is a case of be warned and be careful what you wish for! We have been reliably informed that the heat has not really begun.
The winds have died off, the temps have quickly changed and the rays are burning bright. New lightweight armour is required. Cover everything you can with light clothing and slap on loads of cream. Then find somewhere on deck to hide from the baking sun while waiting for the next sail/course change.
Of course you don’t need to be out on deck in the sun. You could shelter below deck instead in the sauna. With hot-bunking (sharing your bunk with someone on the opposite watch) you get to sleep in your common pool of sweat. You may be fortunate to have a bunk for yourself but that won’t stop the pool forming anyway.
Life below is normally challenging just moving around. Add to that 100 degree F temperatures and the challenge moves to a different level, testing everyone’s tolerance and patience.
Onwards!