What a fantastic send off. I chose to leave just as the marching band came up to Happy Moring on the pontoon. As we slipped the mooring they stopped and saw us out, along with many friends and family and a host of other well wishers. There was the band, people cheering, horns and klaxons going, and a general carnival in full flight. We motored out behind some bigguns, a Challenger 72 and other wonderful lean machines.
We had a great start, clear air and kite up and pulling. Sailing away from the committee boat, which was a Spanish warship, we passed by three fire shipe with all their hoses going - I did offer the crew a last minute shower but they declined. Our Swedish friend fromj the 60 footer rung from the prom and wished us luck. And then we were on our way, big kite and full main in 12-18 knots true which picked up to max at 22kn further down the track.
Sailing down the coast of Gran Canary it was nice to have a cell signal and chat to family and friends too.
We were holding our own to some extent with the boats with bigger masthead kites and asymetrics (HM is a fractional rig and has a smaller spinnaker, and doing pretty well sailing 7-9+kn speed over ground (SOG) when disaster struck 28miles down the track. The halyard shackle blew open and the kite went under the boat where it stuck under the boat. Desperate to avoid a keel/prop/rudder foul we stopped the boat best we could in the chop and somehow managed to retrieve th kite but in doing so it ripped quite badly. We quickly got going again under the number 1 genoa, and then I went up the mast to retrive the blown halyard. It looked okay but we set the heavey kite with the other halyard just to be sure.
So today we have to try and effect a major repair. Predictable the bigger masthead kite boats have sailed off over the horizon but its a long race and we are pushing hard. Theres a lot of firsts here: First time we have raced Happy Morning. First time we have sailed with the kite at nite. First offshore race. First Atlantic crossing. etc etc.
Wind is 13 knots, lighter overnight, was 12 to 22 yesterday passing the accelleration zone, before it went lighter overnight.
Sea state slight/calm. Pressure 1014mb from 1018mb yesterday. SOG 6.5-7.5. Running on heavy kite, full main. Need to get on white sails soon and to claw back some distance on the fleet. The wind may shift and give us a reach which would be fantastic for us.
Pos is 26 32.92 016 00.649 at 06:27GMT.Sky clear overhead with cumulus all around on the horizon by the look of it (Its dark!). Was beautiful with the full moon most of the night. And flat thankfully. We couldnt have wished for a better send off and first nights sailing, even though the wind has eased a bit and we have slowed. Aside from our damaged kite the experience is great so far!
Best wishes to all,
David and crew, Happy Morning