Umiko - Umiko Blog 8 5.12.18

Dear Umiko Fans!
5.12.18 Blog 8
24 hr run 289 nm
DTD 424.20nm

Good morning Umiko fans. I apologise if this does not read well but I have got up an hour early to write this and I have not as yet had any coffee.
The team have been doing great working well together to keep the kite in good trim. As the 24 hour run has suggested the wind had dropped from what were expecting (around 20 kts ) to 10-13 kts. This meant that our progress slowed. The good news is that we were north on the course and would have to gybe over onto the port tack to make some southing (as would most of the fleet) as we did this we got massively freed (one of the reasons we gybed over) with the wind shifting the ESE. This has given us a much better southing course than we were expecting.

It has been an incredible trip. We have had the kite up continuously since day two. We haver not seen another vessel (or been within AIS range of another vessel for over 6 days)

After a lot of work, I am really happy at how Umiko has behaved. She has gone from doing approximately 408nm in 2017 to approximately 6000nm so far this year. There is a lot to do, like any boat but she is fundamentally in excellent condition for a lady of her age. What I think is amazing is how easily the miles slip under her keel and how comfortable they slip buy.

With the prevalence of stable conditions in the area I have been really surprised (with 400nm still to go) at the lack of unstable conditions leading to squalls. We have not detected any visually or on radar and long may that continue.

The crew are definitely in mile counting mode now with talk of cool drinks and pool parties definitely circulating around the yacht. Karina continues to amaze me with the food that she is providing. We had bangers and mash for lunch and a fantastic chilly for dinner.
It was Karina’s Birthday on the 3rd so Richard cooked her a Victoria sponge birthday cake from scratch. The cooking facilities are not gimballed and the French men were on watch so the cake turned out with a list but tasted fantastic.

This morning like all others watch life will continue. I will go on in 40 mins. Get my eye in then do a deck and rig check including a trip aloft. We will check the tack line in particular as we have been having issues with this.

We are happy with our position on the water and will continue to sail the boat right to the finish line.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. “
Eleanor Roosevelt

OLLY OUT!!