I assembled this a few years ago because even I forget some of the boats and events I sailed. Still fond memories; and still making more.
Category: seamanship
COMANCHE WINS AND THE GHOST IS AHEAD
No one will remember which boat will win the Sydney-Hobart rave on corrected time. Comanche was first to finish and did so in spectacular style. I thought a smaller boat would have survived the southerly buster while the 100 footers would have all withdrawn with damage. Hats off the the seamanship.
Meanwhile in the southern atlantic both IDEC and Spindrift are losing ground by the minute to the “Ghost” Banque Populaire.
SYDNEY TO HOBART RACE
It is Boxing Day and the start of the Sydney-Hobart race. The weather has lived up to the prediction and the big boats have hit the Southerly Buster. Once through it the winds lighten and the small boats may catch up.
AHEAD OF THE GHOST
BOTH SPINDRIFT AND IDEC ARE AHEAD OF BANQUE POPULAIRE EXITING THE PACIFIC. WITH ABOUT 7,000 MILES LEFT TO THE FINISH AND 15 DAYS. SPINDRIFT IS ABOUT 500 MILES IN FRONT OF THE RECORD RIGHT NOW AND IDEC IS 175 MILES AHEAD.
NAVIGATING THE HIGH PRESSURE ZONES WILL BE THE TRICK SAILING NORTH IN THE ATLANTIC ONCE AGAIN.
DO MORE WITH LESS
I have always had great admiration for those who dare to do.
A smaller boat with a smaller crew require smarter sailing.
DAY 26 TROPHEE JULES VERNE
BOTH IDEC AND SPINDRIFT ARE CLOSE TO THE “GHOST”. IDEC 30 MILES BEHIND AND SPINDRIFT 30 MILES AHEAD. AT THE SPEEDS THEY ARE SAILING THIS CAN CHANGE VERY QUICKLY. WITH ABOUT 9,000 MILES TO THE FINISH THE DECIDING FACTOR IN THE RACE WILL BE WHO NAVIGATES FROM THE EQUATOR TO THE FINISH WITH THE FASTEST TIME.
RISK AND REWARD
IDEC is further south than any boat has gone, good wind and shorter distance are the benefits, icebergs are the danger. So far, it has paid off as they are almost back even with the standing record.
Spindrift, further north is ahead of the record by some 80 miles. Both boats are almost halfway around the world.
IDEC BEHIND, SPINDRIFT AHEAD
It is still a long way to the finish. IDEC is about 350 miles behind the record at present; and Spindrift is just ahead of the record.
It is so interesting to see who jibes when and why.
11 MEN, 11 DAYS TRANSATLANTIC RACE 2015
I am finally re-united with my computer; having just returned from the 2015 transatlantic race aboard “Snow Lion”. We crossed the ocean in 11 1/2 days. never a days run less than 250 miles. an extraordinary adventure.
BAND OF BROTHERS
I am about to start my 9th transatlantic race on 7 different boats. I have sailed with a number of people as a result; and have warm memories of each race, each boat, and each and every person.
It is a fraternity that one can only join by competing.
I had news a few days ago that another of that fraternity had died. Peter Van Dyke passed away. A loss to our group.
