Date: Wed 5th Dec 2012
Time: 14.30 UTC
Position: 16’58.3N 42’09.4W
SOG: 8.0 knots
COG: 255 approx
Weather: Sunny !
Wind ESE 18-25knots
Good afternoon to you all
Everyone is now fully settled into the watch system so we thought we would let you know what we have been up to in the last 24 hours
We are operating on “yacht time” which is effectively GMT as no one ( except the Texan ) has changed their watch times since crossing two time zones – albeit his watch does barometer readings, straight line distance back to Las Palmas, moon rise time, sun rise time etc.
Many of us have lost track of what day it is ( Wednesday) and the date ( 5th ) as we focus on “yacht time “
Just as a reminder – Crew Jacko – John, Oscar, Ryan – Crew Sam – Jack,Neil,Peter
Aim for those at the helm – 250 –255 degrees on a broad reach
Watch time – 4hrs during the day, 3hrs at night
Berths – shared – so as one watch leaves their beds the other one goes into the same berth – it is getting v warm
Flying fish – no direct hits but a few near misses
09.00 – 13.00 – Team Sam at the helm – they have just claimed Team Jackos mileage as log book not completed by Oscar !!!!!!!!
06.00 – 09.00 - Team Jacko at the helm – 3hrs divided in 45mins each at the helm – 15 – 20 knots of wind, av speed 9 – 10 knots with surfs down waves in the 12s and 13s.Wind is veering round so the main sheet is trimmed on a number of occasions. Team Sam in bed – in the 3hrs they have to complete the log from their watch, get dressed / undressed in the dark so not to upset eye focus in the dark when on the helm/ on deck – wake up call from Team on watch is 15mins before )
nb – there were clear skies, millions of stars and a few shooting stars
03.00 – 06.00 – Team Sam at the helm, Team Jacko in bed
00.00 – 03.00 – Team Jacko at the helm – 15 – 20 knots of wind but with gusts up to 26 knots – contemplate putting reefs in but don't as we have good boat speed
00.00 – 21.00 – Team Sam at the helm, Team Jacko in bed
17.00 – 21.00 – Team Jacko at the helm into sunset. Also agreed that this watch cooks dinner – so tonight Oscar is chef and we have chilli con carne with coleslaw . As everyone is awake we put Sam’s iPod on Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac and The Police all played – wind as before
12.30 – 17.00 – Team Sam at the helm, Team Jacko in bed ( watch time extended by 30mins so 0900 watch wakes up to sunrise ) – during this period Jacko and Sam cured our water tank issues and many of the Team choose to do some washing – Persil non bio gel gets whites white !! Jackos sailing top and underwear has never been so clean – his Mum would be proud
During this time Jacko sends our blog and receives messages ( which the whole crew look forward to – thx to those who have sent messages ), get weather updates and positions of other yachts and whether we have gained or lost out to them – once Jacko has reviewed we have a 15min ish briefing
0800 – 12.30 – Team Jacko at the helm (watch time extended by 30mins so 0900 watch wakes up to sunrise ) – wind as before.Following our watch Ryan cooks bacon / bacon and egg sandwiches for everyone
So as you have hopefully see / feel from the above this is not a cruise but very much an adventure / race across the Atlantic, so come on Lancelot II carry us swiftly across the remainder of the race to the cold beer and rum that we are starting to talk about as we approach at some point today 1,000 miles to go :)
Lesley – sorry to hear about the minus 4 degrees at home – lot warmer here :)
Andy W – pleased you are enjoying watching fleet viewer - I am sure Heineken shares will pick up shortly
Over and out from Team Lancelot II with our love and regards to all