Race 3 Day 4
So as it turns out, crossing your fingers is not a viable means for
fighting seasickness. Day four already. The weather has improved, with flatter seas and the
sun making its first appearance. The four newbies and I have emerged
from our bunks so we have our full complement of crew for the first
time. Hopefully we'll get the wind shift we're hoping for and be able
to do some downwind sailing soon. Very much looking forward to making
into Cape Town in the 20 or so days as predicted. After the 33 days we
just did, 19 seems like a breeze. Of course we will need that
consistent breeze to get in on schedule. We're currently doing well on the race results, but as Pete keeps
reminding us, the results won't be very relevant for another day or so
when the fleet converges a bit more. Still, it beats knowing that
you're showing up on the website as back of the pack, which we have been
by this time in the last couple of races. The mood on the boat is different than in the last two races. Although
we're doing better, I feel like it's more subdued. I guess that's to be
expected with 15 crew staying the same. The new crew are naturally more
exuberant but the rest of us are sort of back into the routine. The
short stay in Rio probably reinforced that. There isn't the same level
of excitement when someone brings a bag of chocolates or cookies on
deck, or when someone cooks a nice meal. I have to say that the
victualling team has done a nice job with the limitations on budget and
selection they faced in Rio. We've continued to eat well. Had a very
yummy vegetable curry last night with beans, lentils, sweet potatoes,
coconut milk and rice. Oh and exactly one quarter of a slice of chorizo
per bowl :) Oh, and as a side note I saw a whale breaching while we were preparing
for a sail change a couple days ago. I saw spray and a ship up ahead
and was about to ask Pete (who was on the helm) if he could see the
hovercraft (which makes no sense) when I realized that it was a whale.
Jumped right out of the water at 45 degrees just like you would imagine.
While we finished bagging the sail, Pete said it jumped eight more
times, though I was busy heaving the sail in between heaving over the
side. On the boat we say "2, 6, HEAVE!" to coordinate lifting and
pulling the heavy sails. I think this comes from old british navy
practice of loading cannons.
fighting seasickness. Day four already. The weather has improved, with flatter seas and the
sun making its first appearance. The four newbies and I have emerged
from our bunks so we have our full complement of crew for the first
time. Hopefully we'll get the wind shift we're hoping for and be able
to do some downwind sailing soon. Very much looking forward to making
into Cape Town in the 20 or so days as predicted. After the 33 days we
just did, 19 seems like a breeze. Of course we will need that
consistent breeze to get in on schedule. We're currently doing well on the race results, but as Pete keeps
reminding us, the results won't be very relevant for another day or so
when the fleet converges a bit more. Still, it beats knowing that
you're showing up on the website as back of the pack, which we have been
by this time in the last couple of races. The mood on the boat is different than in the last two races. Although
we're doing better, I feel like it's more subdued. I guess that's to be
expected with 15 crew staying the same. The new crew are naturally more
exuberant but the rest of us are sort of back into the routine. The
short stay in Rio probably reinforced that. There isn't the same level
of excitement when someone brings a bag of chocolates or cookies on
deck, or when someone cooks a nice meal. I have to say that the
victualling team has done a nice job with the limitations on budget and
selection they faced in Rio. We've continued to eat well. Had a very
yummy vegetable curry last night with beans, lentils, sweet potatoes,
coconut milk and rice. Oh and exactly one quarter of a slice of chorizo
per bowl :) Oh, and as a side note I saw a whale breaching while we were preparing
for a sail change a couple days ago. I saw spray and a ship up ahead
and was about to ask Pete (who was on the helm) if he could see the
hovercraft (which makes no sense) when I realized that it was a whale.
Jumped right out of the water at 45 degrees just like you would imagine.
While we finished bagging the sail, Pete said it jumped eight more
times, though I was busy heaving the sail in between heaving over the
side. On the boat we say "2, 6, HEAVE!" to coordinate lifting and
pulling the heavy sails. I think this comes from old british navy
practice of loading cannons.
