Subject: Log #3 Yacht Fenix
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:04:18 +0100
24/11/2010 - 12:00hrs
Position: 20.24N 19.10W, Heading: 210m
Speed: 1.5kts SOG, Wind NE 1kt
3rd installment from S/Y Fenix log in the ARC 2010.
And this too will pass...
Sailing:
A slow run through the night eventually petered out into a floater. Wind has disappeared just short of our turning point.
Tactician braced for unkind comments, even though everyone knows its not his fault...
Appears from the position updates that we are not the only boat affected by the calm spot, except for Venemous who are making excellent use of their previous event experience. Those guys are worth watching.
Social:
While being becalmed in a race is very frustrating for the crew, it has given some of us the opportunity to realise another 'tick box' event - diving off a boat in the Atlantic and swimming in water approx 4000 metres deep. Dave W lead the way (no truth in the rumour that the lads let him go first just to make sure the sharks kept their distance!)
After swimming we all put on our lotion, as instructed, and drank plenty of water, as instructed, (even Joe C).
Spotted some different marine life as well (excluding the crew swimmers!) - some turtles passed us and seemed totally oblivious to our presence as they pulled themselves gracefully through the water. A 2 metre Marlin swan by and gave us a curious "how would I manage to eat them" type of look! - we had Dave W ready to jump back in to show him who's boss.
Brief update on all:
It appears that yesterday's brief update could have unintentionally given the wrong impression of some of the crew's attributes and/or potential.
The writer wishes to apologise herewith, unreservedly for any inference of lethagry, incompetence, senility or pomposity in any of the excellent members of the crew of S/Y Fenix who were willing to sacrifice quality family and friend time to undertake this daring adventure.
Apparently -
- if the teller says his joke is funny, then it is;
- relaxation can be invigorating for the soul, leading to better harmony with one's fellow man; - releasing fish from a lure before landing is a magnanamous gesture, indicating great kindness;
- just closing your eyes and resting them can be misinterpreted as sleeping soundly;
- learning about sailing once you've passed thirty isn't as easy as it looks;
- wearing shades every minute of the day has beneficial effects for one's retinas;
- the universe IS full of interesting stuff and we should all learn that;
- professionally ignoring a daft suggestion shouldn't be confused with actually not understanding what the person said in the first place;
- there IS more than one person on this crew actually racing the boat.
Still drifting SSW.
Update again when possible.
Colm B