Our enthusiasm for the regatta side of this ARC event is increasing. Every day we receive a position report for the participating sailboats. This is a report everyone may follow. Astahaya has startno 59 on the ARC website. We were surprised when we understood that we are actually well positioned. There are 4 Oyster 56es in the ARC this year. Every evening we all stand around the diningtable positioning small boats on the large paperchart when the report arrives. Every day the small boats are moved a little westward. Let us hope that the future results will also be on our side.
The strategy has been to hunt for the passat by moving south. This showed to be right the first week. The last two days has by the way been rather calm with less wind. We are hunting for the winds now. This sea is large and it is rather frustrating to see the Cap Verde Islands constantly a few cm from Astahaya on the Raymarine screen. But we are constantly moving westwards…
The humidity hit us today and the last days have been hot and pleasant. Lars Christian is still leading on the bathing project. Strapped on to the transom, buckets of water are thrown over the bather. You see we saw a shark fin parading around the boat. Jon who is our cameraman is preparing for the movie “Shark winter”. We others are controlling that sharks have still not started eating up the transom. We have respect also for the movement of the vessel under sail. The vessel will easily move too fast for a normal swimmer, so we stick to the buckets!
Jon and Christian are appointed to be in charge of the Astahaya cabaret. Yesterday evening as well as this evening, they are performing with classical ballet to pop music from the 70th. Their performances in the cockpit are of entranced quality!
Hanna and Mari, The daughters of Lars Christian have equipped the Astahaya with an Advent Calendar. Thank you to both of you! We have a calendar opening ceremony during breakfast every day. Strange that Christmas is approaching.
If we pick up more winds this night or tomorrow, we will reach midway late evening. Celebrations await! The ARC is reckoned to be 2800 miles, so when 1400 miles are covered we celebrate….
Tore’s creation for dinner yesterday is worth mentioning: tuna steaks with mashed potatoes and carrots. Delicious! The stakes came out of the freezer as the fishing on board is still not successful.
Christian served an elegant tuna salad with chicory and peanuts for lunch and spicy pasta with Spanish sausages for dinner.
Good night!
On behalf of us all
Tom