Hello Team
How are you doing? Week off to a flying start? Can you believe it’s July already! How on earth did that happen? Well, we flew into the start of the week. A combination of the Gulf Stream and some helpful favourable winds, and the added bonus of our earlier gamble helped us get back in the mix.
Well as I said in my last blog, there would be many ‘firsts’ this leg as well as many ‘last’ times, this race. Dan had his first time helming a Clipper 70 under the kite in the Gulf Stream and helmed like a pro, very natural. Michael, having rejoined after his Leg 5 time on board, is crossing his first ocean and was the first to get over 16kts under the kite on this race.
The most significant event, in the last 24 hours a day out of 304 days since we left Portsmouth was a third. It was the third time, at 04:48:18UTC, on 2July 2024, that we crossed, 54º 57.154W(Punta de Este), the second time in an easterly direction. Therefore; 3rd- 2nd E + 41673nm = 360º = a first (the biggest of firsts) for Regina, Mel, Brian, Dave, Sacha, Jilly, and Gert. They, have for the first time, crossed every line of longitude on the globe at sea, becoming circumnavigators. Maisie, although ready a member of that unique group of sailors, it was her first time on the same yacht, with the same team. They truly have achieved something remarkable. The fact that 7out of 9 (78%, they all have lost weight) out of the original round the worlders on Bekezela, have attained that, is incredible in its own right. I think we should give acknowledgement and respect to all across the fleet who have accomplished this on this race, whether crew or sailing staff. Congratulations, all-rounders – if you’ll excuse the pun. (Special shout out from me, to two round the worlders on a ‘Rum Watch’, on the fleet, hope both are behaving).
We have had another first, and I would love it to be the last, but it probably won’t be. In the early hours of Monday, the wind veered (clockwise move) allowing us to switch back to the kite (spinnaker), this time we chose the Code 3 due to the wind and sea state. After a protracted time, due to some halyard management issues (not going there with how many times that’s happened), the kite was hoisted and we were off. Screaming into the sunrise I was on the helm, but just couldn’t break the18kts mark, but it was good fun and the boat was balanced, allowing for some great dance moves on the helm. I reluctantly handed over to Dave, who got 19kts immediately. He subsequently handed over to Regina, who smashed out 21kts and never dropped below 14kts. In order to avoid further humiliation from the speed merchants #1 and I appeared to have created, I retired to the nav station, to ‘study’ the weather.
A few helm changes later, the boat rounded up and I was thrown off the nav station seat, in the background shouting from deck, never a good sign. I put my head up the companionway to see half the Code 3 trailing along the port side of the boat, in the water. After a very quick recovery and the Yankee 1 re-hoisted we were off again.
What’s the first in that I hear you ask? Later at breakfast, a very subdued Chris was helming at the time we were hit by a 35kt gust and a rolling wave at the same time. He announced, ‘I feel awful, I tried my best to stop us rounding up.” To which Dave immediately responded, “Well you best clearly weren't good enough.” Supportive, I thought. Then Mel added, “Well, at least you’re no longer a kite-ripping virgin”. Now that was a first in so many ways.
Compass course: Oban +15º
Think that’s all for now, standing by this channel.
David, Maisie and the banter giving Bekezela Crew (UTC-3 )