23/11/2010 - 12:00hrs
Position: 22.41N 18.44W, Heading: 210m
Speed: 7.5kts SOG, Wind NE 10kts
2nd installment from S/Y Fenix log in the ARC 2010.
Sailing:
Great night's run with following sea and 15 - 18kts, gave us just 400 miles run since start - not bad for a fast learning crew! Tactics are challenging as we all have the normal question 'why head so far south when the finish is over in the west?' - time will tell, tactician earning his keep, for the moment!
Position updates are eagerly awaited from Race control and fill in many hours of talk time. So far we're reasonably happy with progress, all things considered. Help from Peter C is much appreciated.
Decision point for turning coming up soon...
Social:
I've been asked to let all concerned know that we are drinking plenty of water, as instructed, and putting our lotion on, as instructed, always, honestly! (even Joe C).
We obviously have the 'front of house' Wrights on board, 'cause they're not showing much promise at the catching side of things! Tally so far - 3 strikes (Tuna) on 2 lures; 1 lure lost, 0 fish landed. We even had a flying fish land on board which was gently returned to the sea, after a photo call. Looks like beef and chicken for the rest of the race! That said, we are eating royally, thanks to Aidan Mc from King Sitric in Howth. We're truly spoiled with his gourmet mains (heated to 63 degrees C) and the ship's skipper, Moritz's Creme Caramel desert - on a level table, racing along at 11kts - brilliant!
Other marine life starting to show now.
We spotted a whale spout last evening about 500meters away, couldn't make out the type though. Two pods of Dolphins joined in our play last night and today. Will M was on the helm for the 1st appearance while they swam alongside, chortling to him - he reckoned they were asking something about NAMA!
Brief update on all:
Joe C: is fine, enjoying sailing faster - wish he'd concentrate on finding a decent joke to tell;
Kieran J: as relaxed as I've ever seen him, not sure if he realises there's another 2500 miles to go!
Darren W: sailing as well as ever, great on the food prepping, not so good on the food catching!
David W: in great form, reckon he's trying out for the Irish sleeping soundly championship - putting in some rigourous training!
Darren T: proving that being mid-thirties is no limit to one's learning ability, he now knows twice as much about sailing as he did when we started, and that was zero!
Johnnie W: a real live wire and good sort to have around when there's things to be done, can't wait to see what his eyes look like when ever he gets to take those shades off!
Will M: as technical as ever, knowlegeable chap, unfortunately about just about every possible thing in the universe - if only he'd limit his expertise sharing to the relevant stuff!
Moritz B: professionally supporting all suggestions from the crew, and calmly ignoring any follow-on action from the daft ones, he's starting to tune into the HYC wit - proves he's clever!
Colm B: manfully racing a Swan 60 single-handedly, as modestly and brilliantly as usual! His cold is clearing nicely too.
Still heading SSW.
Update again when possible.
Based on original words by Will M, facts by Colm B