The best weather is behind us and now we face 900 miles of light airs :(
14/3. At radio check this morning we were 60 miles behind Gunvor and the same distance in front of 12 Moons. Ran out of wind after lunch (8 kts, which doesn't work for Sapphire). Gybed southwest and did marginally better. We are struggling to keep VMG above 5 kts. Not much relief in sight, so the calculation of when to go with the engine will be tackled in the next day or so.
15/3. Wind strengthened a little in the middle of the night. We were able to keep VMG above 7 kts until mid-day today. Wind backed to ENE so we gybed to NW. Just about managing to stay above 7 kts in 12-14 kt breezes.
16/3. Very good sailing day. Wind has backed in our favor from 90' to 27'. And while we had some vicious squalls, they did bring wind (gusting 26-30), but steady mid-teens. The result is we've had fresh rainwater showers, and are on course going along at 9.5 VMG! Strangely enough, a number of boats have reported light airs and are motoring. The vagaries of the wind gods!
17/3. Great celebrations for St Paddy's day. Aft deck and crew decked out in lots of green (thanks Aisling). Baci/egg/sausage brunch with Bloody Marys(yes, we relaxed the No Drinking rule for the day). Another celebratory dinner followed by a movie featuring The Dubliners. The Wind Gods made us pay for all the merriment by giving us a night with the worst sailing conditions so far.....very light and variable winds. Boat speed down to 3 kts. Yuk!
18/3. All changed. We gybed midday and saw VMG go to 8 in 14 kt winds. Stayed like that (occasional 10s ) into the night. Tuesday landfall now realistic. Less than 250 miles to go.
19/3. The breeze has stayed fresh, though the direction (NE) could be better. Nonetheless, we're gaining on our destination. We gybed before lunch (when all crew were up) and have been keeping VMG around 7 kts. We'll gybe to the SW before dinner, and now with 120 miles to run, expect to be in Hiva Oa, at anchor, by midday tomorrow, 20 March, or 8 pm GMT.