Greetings from one of the Ace crew on day six of our sail.
We are now just passing the midpoint of the journey distance-wise while we continue to make very solid progress, racking over 200 miles per day on average.
As the least experienced member of the team, I'll offer a few observations to help color the rich details of the experience thus far from one unaccustomed to such stuff.
My day began -- like each of us - with a nudge in the middle of the night, the probe of the red light of a headlamp shining unobtrusively inches from my face, and a whisper that it's my time. It is my time, at 01:30 hours, to rise and rotate the two person watch on deck -- 4 hours on, eight off, 24/7, driving Ace westward.
Rising stiffly from the narrow bunk, dropping to the floor whilst grabbing hold of the center console to stem the lurching, I make my way to the head to don my now heavy rain gear -- bib overalls, jacket, and life vest -- all soggy from the salt sprays of the surf and the freshwater dousing of the short powerful squalls of the preceding evening.
Making my way onto deck, a mumble of greeting to the two figures, I sit to windward, hook in my life line, look around, and take the measure of the morning. The speed and power of Ace barreling through the swells at 10 knots quickly strips away the fog of sleep as the night sky emerges, the instruments come into focus, and the unchanged rolling of the seascape and boat wake take shape.
In a few minutes, I take the wheel with my fresh assignment to steer our course of 260 degrees -- more or less -- as Ace continues to surge forward. Winds are ranging from the low to high 20's, a passing squall douses Fred and I, and a surging wave sends me sprawling briefly.
I am at the wheel, flying in the night, with Ace surfing and ploughing her way forward at unbelievable speed. I have a huge, unseen grin on my face. This, I think to myself, is sailing.
A couple of observations to help complete the picture. First, unquestionably, is the scale, power and rapid variability of the ocean around us. We are but a little pig pong ball blowing along her surface. Second is the depth and professionalism of the crew, most evident during sail changes and adjustments on a rolling deck of a lurching locomotive, and in calmly deliberating approaches to emerging issues as they arise. Thirdly, Ace herself is an incredible performer thus far, with muscular power, speed and performance that it itself deeply impressive and relentless.
There is also the human dimension that lies at the rich core of the adventure, both in personal terms as we each explore our own spaces and as we contribute to a working human chemistry amongst the seven of us, all crammed into this surging locomotive.
In short, things are good.
William
PS. Some of you have been sending messages which are quite appreciated and more are welcome. We just ask you to keep them brief and you must also know that these are read daily in the cockpit for all to hear. We enjoy it greatly!!!
Time: 1730 GMT Position: 21*18'N 036*20.6'W
Wind: 22 knots from 140*
Weather: Clear at present but more squalls expected
Speed: 9.5 knots
Heading: 260*