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Northern Child - ARC DAY 8: 4/12 (17.2N 38.4W) - written by Adolfo



It feels as if we have just started a new trip: it is warm, very warm, wind has droped to 15 knots and sea is now calmer to a more traditional atlantic swell AND we have have been sailing with the Spinaker up for most of the day.... last but not least we have had a small rum punch to celebrate coming past the half way point ;-)

As we have been complaining about the conditions to date being hard and "not what is said" on the brochure we must admit that today was just like we all imagined. A great day.

Quick run of events in last 24 hours:

- I experienced a really weird sensation that I would define as a "black out" (not passing out but getting totally disoriented at the helm when everything around you is 100% dark). My head was spining and I felt I was going to be sick overboard as a result. Matt graciously took the wheel while I gathered my bearings again.... The only other time when I have experienced this was skiing in the middle of a thick fog white-out. An hour later, and thanks to Deb, Richard and Matt's ecncouragement I was "back on the horse" steering for a while. I am glad they pushed ;-)

- For the first time since leaving Las Palmas I managed to sleep as much as 4 hours !!! Thanks to the team for pushing me to go earlier to bed and thanks to my sister for providing the right prescription back at home "just in case"

- First heroe of the day was Gerrit who graciously came to deck to help at 5 am and only went down for a break at 3pm !!! He was spent patient time with all of us who wanted a safe hand and advice when driving with the Spinaker

- Second heroe was Christian who had to climb up the mast (and Northern Child has a tall mast) to retrieve the Spinaker hailyard from the top

- Sail repair: Tom and Tim have done a great and patient job of mending no1 Genoa Sail. We can now sail with number 1 and 4 genoas in "goose wing", a staysail and full mainsail. With calmer winds we are still sailing at 8-9 knots

- Richard is using his strong mathematical and spreadsheets skills to creat the "the mother of all spreadsheets" to track and analyse progress and situation of the ARC fleet automatically. Very smart !!!

Racing wise, we continue on a more Southerly route and while we have dropped some positions, we are still hoping the winds will be more favourable down here than further North ;-)

Much animated spirit on board today. It was certainly a great day and Northern Child was the place to be.

Talk soon

Adolfo





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