Day 3 and Heartbeat IV is heading ~ 270 degrees. Under spinnaker and mainsail – wind 12-20 knots NE to East. Bright sunshine and warm at last after a pretty grim first two days more reminiscent of beating up to Smith’s Knoll in May on the North Sea Race. After slowish start down the Gran Canaria coast we followed the wind round with part of the fleet, although many appeared to adopt the inshore route. With winds S and SW up to 32 knots it was full HPX gear overnight and some of the day. Pretty miserable and not helped by genoa sheet failure on Sunday night, followed by reef line failure on the Monday morning. Both sorted without too much effect on speed. Skipper particularly unwell after failure of scopolamine. Excellent food provided by Paul B and Nicola. Waited for wind to veer to N on Monday evening which it did on time - to about 20+ knots. Main and number 3 have good speeds and worked for the rotating three watch system (Jude, Jason, Roger - Russell, Karen, Ian and Nic, Trev and Paul). Assy up for first time Tuesday morning followed by almost immediate halyard failure. Managed immediately to get Russell up mast - mouse dropped - new halyard sited by Trev without slowing down. Wind increased to 25k so changed from A2 to A5 and then replaced by S2. However S2 wrapped in middle of night by managed to recover but as halyard and uphaul/downhaul tangled made decision to go bareheaded until daylight. Then wind back to 28k+ so reefed main and #3. Hoping conditions will remain similar for a while. Spirits good. Many bruises and grazes. Pic by Trev whilst up the mast. Hope that he'll have lost weight next time he goes up.
PB270308