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Testarossa - First Back Day at Sea - Bermuda to Azores



Testarossa Daily Message: First Back Day at Sea - Bermuda to Azores / 17-18 May 2016//

"A Journey Begins With a Single Step..."

As of 1700L hours on 18 May 2016, our position is: 33*38.213'N / 61*10.340'W. We are steaming 097* COG making 8.0 Kts. SOG, and are...We don't even wanna think about how far we are from the Azores!!!

And their off! For us in Class A, 1105L was the start of the ARC Europe Leg from Bermuda to the Azores. And the setting couldn't have been better. In the beautiful inner harbor just off the the quays of St. George's town, the ARC committee boat was anchored 100 meters off shore. Ringed by the amazing vista's of Bermuda on all sides; what is normally quite a large harbor, suddenly became very small indeed with the maneuvering of 30 or so boats sailing back and forth - each raising sails and jockeying for advantageous position. And the weather couldn't have been better - balmy breezes under clear skies. Let's go sailing!

We employed a unique racing maneuver at the start. Coming head to wind - wouldn't you know the wind was directly out of the East - the exact direction we needed to go, we came just across the start line and raised our mainsail. Since we had the engine still running, we then commenced to "back er down" under power just back below the start while awaiting the final horn. Thirty seconds to, we unfurled the jib, while Testarossa lurched forward, crossing over just after the start whistle. A unique approach in a very crowded place. As the wind continued from the harbor entrance, we continued to "motor sail" directly for the cut. Meanwhile, one of the big German Hanse's sailboat tacked back and forth left to right, but when wind and direction of travel came to a head, we steamed right past em.

To the landed bystander watching the unfolding spectacle ashore at the channel - it must have been spectacular: a parade of sailing yachts - all heading to sea and beyond. Waving at one of our ARC staff friends, we were quickly thru the cut and into the wide blue Atlantic beyond.

Initially, we sailed a southward course, taking advantage of wind and weather forecast, but over the course of the next several hours, with the wind not clocking around as we expected (or forecasted), we tacked back to take a northeasterly course.

[A brief note about offshore sailing: It's all about the wind! While coastal cruisers are most concerned with keeping "water beneath the keel," i.e. not running aground on some rock or shoal; the sailor upon the high seas is most concerned about wind and where to find it! In the current latitudes that we are sailing, the prevailing 'wind-makers' are frontal systems, driven by high and low pressure systems that move West to East. Our trick then, is to find those areas of those systems that give us advantageous winds. In this case, a High pressure system well to the North of us, with its clockwise flow, is providing us with winds to sail by. If we decipher the weather forecast right, and steer right, the winds will propel us. Too far north a gale is blowing and there is too much wind; too far south and we will be becalmed. So far, we have pretty much gotten it right as we have had good conditions for sailing with winds blowing 10-15Kts. The lay line - the straight line course from Bermuda to the Azores is 093*. We anticipate sailing a arcing courseline just north of the lay line and oscillating back and forth as necessary to "find the wind"]

Bye Bye Bermuda!

It didn't take long for land to recede out of sight, the crew making last minute texts and calls to friends to say their farewells. If only the world was a global wifi hotspot! AT&T please get right on that!

Bermuda was great to us, and we enjoyed our stay immensely. But more on that to come...

The first day back at sea, it is always a challenge to transition from a daily routine ashore, to the demands of a 24-7 sailing routine. This coupled with the last minute preparations prior to departure, results in a palpable malaise aboard the vessel. Translation - everyone is tired! The result is: nap time! Despite the demands of sailing and all its myriad other requirements, everyone found a few minutes to catch up and nap. No names here Bablou, but some more than others. Zzzzz...

Lunch time found the hungry crew of Testarossa enjoying a great chicken-avocado wrap. Then...more naps all around. Occasionally, we awoken from our slumbers to trim sails and keep a sharp look out for the other sailboats. The "reading deck" was also open, and those among us also resumed our natural routine of reading.

Relatively quickly, the fleet spread out, fan shaped across the horizon, as the differences in decisions, and boat performance and capability; dictated different courses, and different strategies.

With the ship well heeled over in the fresh breeze, we quickly became hungry and ready for dinner. Aromatic smells emanating from the galley, indicate Ms. Lorrie at work, preparing another feast. A simple meal of wild rice and backed chicken with garlic bread is welcome to a hungry crew. Best we can do given the sea state and ship conditions.

The skies turn golden copper beneath a grey cloud layer as a beautiful sunset signals the beginning of the night watch. Babalou and Felipe have the first watch, 8 to midnight. Having not napped previously, Babalou graciously let Felipe put his head down to rest in the leeward cockpit seat. "Wake me in thirty Bob" goes unheeded as I awake with a start at 2300L - an hour before my watch is up. What a way to spend one's watch - Danke Babalouuuuu! The 4th Mate owes you one! David and Captain George have the mids to 0700L. During the night, they spot a super freighter - a large container ship over a thousand feet long. I can just imagine the watch aboard that ship thinking: "where'd all these sailboats come from!" Ms. Lorrie was the closer, as she was ondeck from 0700L until people started to awaken and come up for the daily routine.

Brunch was the standard fare: Delicious home fried potatoes with scrambled eggs and veggies. Topped with a mug of coffee, a great start to a new day underway. We are on our way, a small step has been taken on our journey to a far and distant land.

Personal messages from the Crew:
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Captain George - 143 Testarossa!
Ms. Lorrie - XOL
Babalou - Miss you Pirateeeeeee!
Felipe - Hey Lisa - Belated Happy Birthday from the Atlantic! CJ - so great to talk to you from Bermuda! 143 143 143! Hi Uncle Mark & Auntie Ruth - Thanks so much for taking care of wayward visitors! smile emoticon
St. David of London - FRANNY! Shame we couldn’t chat before I left, maybe you got my voicemail, will be leaving Horta and sailing to Terceira on 4th June, in Terceira all day 5th, I've almost finished the DOVE, he was just in Bitter End helping build the resort... Nanny, Grandad, Nana and Joe - hope you are all well! Thinking of you all, we are eating very well on board but I wouldn't mind a Bishops Cleeve Fry Up and a Sausage Toad! Love DP x
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Cheers All, and All The Best,

Testarossa Sends,
USA 143



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