"What a difference a day makes."
So said the ARC Net Controller to those ARC boats listening on 4149 kHz at 1300 November 30th. In only 24 hours, the skies and seas had turned from clear and glassy to grey and tempestuous. Average wind speeds in the high 20's and gusts to 49 knots were reported among the boats giving their positions to the net. Suddenly, this ARC had dealt us Irish weather, as the Coach liked to put it.
Windleblo and crew rode it out gallantly, pushing southeast toward the Cape Verde Islands. We decided to put in for a "touch and go" stop for refueling given that we have burned so much fuel motoring through the calms of yesterday and earlier days. It seems only prudent to take on fuel given the distance yet to traveled and the prospect of more calms.
Yet all aboard are a bit daunted at the notion of seeing land so soon. We signed on for a 2,700 hundred mile ocean crossing, not two passages of 800 and 2,000 miles. Eschewing the call the join the ARC+ -- the option to leave the Canaries early and call into the Cape Verde Islands for a week-long visit on the way to St. Lucia -- we are now six days out and well into the rhythms of watch keeping and life at sea. To stop now seems too abrupt, too disruptive to our shipboard routines.
But as is always with sailing, the wind and weather have made the decision for us. We are simply accepting the hand we are dealt. Last year's ARC had so much wind the start had to be delayed. The ARC 2013 will go down as one with light air, at least for those choosing the safer "south 'til the butter melts" route. Refueling is a logical consequence of this reality.
For now, we ride out the big seas and strong winds. Tomorrow, we will see land and stop, but only briefly. For the next landfall will be St. Lucia.