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Testarossa - The Rocket Ship



Testarossa Daily Message: Testarossa, The Rocket Ship / 19-20 May 2016//

As of 1218L hours on 20 May 2016, our position is: 34*51.077'N / 53*11.160'W. We are steaming 102* COG making 10.0 Kts SOG, middle of the Atlantic, bound for the Azores. Making good time...Making good time!

Our Day in Numbers:
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In the past 24 hours, we have made 234 NM's
(Just about 4* of Longitude to the East)
We have averaged 9.9 NM's / hour
So far, we have made 573 NM's total distance since the Start Line (Bermuda)
By 5-6pm local time, we expect to be 1/3rd the distance to the Azores
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Anddddddd the rocket ride continues! We continue to ride the "wave" - both literally and figuratively, of our current Low pressure system - just on the bottom periphery, as we plow ahead making good time! Over 200 miles in 24 hours! Setting a voyage record for us - we have finally logged over 200 nautical miles in a single day! This should put us at 1/3rd the distance by 5-6 p.m. local time, if all holds. And the forecast is for this to hold until approx. 3 a.m. local before we start to lose pressure and slow down. Then what? We break out the oars and commence rowing! Just kidding! But we have gotten spoiled making such good time and it will feel like quite a let down when the wind calms.

Living life "on the heel" continues. I would like to say that we have gotten use to this by now, but I don't think one ever gets use to living at an angle this way. Skeptical? Try this simple test at home: Take your laptop or computer and cock it 30* to the right. Occasionally move it to the left. Now continue reading this, or typing in your response. Have someone occasionally walk by and slap you or your computer while you are reading this...get the idea? And if you are really hard core - do this in the shower.

(Not responsible for your computer BTW smile emoticon

Yesterday finished off on a high note: Babalou's Atlantic famous "Pasta a la Mer." No this wasn't the same as his Gulf of Mexico reknown "Jumping Pasta" as we eat out of Doggie Bowls aboard Testarossa just to preclude such shinaniggans. But it was fabulously good nonetheless. Big roll. Ziti pasta, with fresh red pepper and Bermuda onion in the sauce, made with hamburger meat. The celebrity chef is enjoying himself in the galley, cooking away, or as he says, "cooking sideways!" There were no leftovers.

The sun never really set yesterday - it simply went from grey to dark. And there we were - on watch. Felipe & Babalou, the eights to midnight. Our moon did come up, giving us a fabulous lighted evening between the skittering gray clouds. The winds continued building, from about 14Kts. indicated to over a gusting 21 Kts. Boat speed increased correspondingly, with 12.1Kts of boatspeed the highest noted on our watch. On average, we made 10-11 kts, with 10-10.5 being our SOG. Monsieur David was sleeping like a baby and had to be roused for his watch - as always it is a relief when your relief shows up. Capitano George and David had the mids to
0700 watch, noting building wind and waves. Of note, was a large wave which submerged the port aft stanchion, soaking our man-overboard life ring and setting the emergency light off. Strobing away, it had to be dried off in order to get it doused. Or would that be undoused?

Ms. Lorrie was ondeck early a.m. noting top speeds of 14Kts. of boatspeed. Folks - It just doesn't get any faster than that when carrying just a main and jib.

The highlight of the morning, besides Ms. Lorrie's famous breakfast tacos - egg and potatoe with picante sauce - was passing another sail boat on the High Seas. The beautiful classic lines of "Helena," a 49' wooden Ketch built in 1913, was overtaken as we passed her to starboard. She had only her jib and a reefed main set. Hailing us, we came to find out that she was returning to Brest, France, after having been completely rebuilt. She was returning from St. Martens, and is part of an association. Anyone doing some research, please pass along some additional information on this vessel and her history, as well as her association. Also, post a picture or two for us, for all to see.

The exhilarating ride of looking downward 15' from the weather side, and seeing the foaming seas streaming past continues, for right now, Testarossa is a rocket ship!

Personal Messages from the Crew:
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Captain George: Song of the night - Ronan Keating, Lost for Words
Ms. Lorrie: See Below
Babalou: Love you honey, miss you honey, ex ex oh oh!
Felipe: 4CJ - Listen to song: "The Sweetest Thing" by U2. AML4U2! Are you home safe? Glenn - Almost to 38* N latitudes - a Lat that is very near and dear to me! Cheers to all!
Mr. David, Esq: KP! Just started Catch 22 (the 2nd edition), it's almost as good as the first! Sue - In my Celestial Navigation book the author writes - learning the steps, 'was a lot like learning the Charleston; I simply had to go through the steps many, many times before they finally became automatic' - I fear the boat is rolling around a bit too much for the CHEEKY sailor right now! FRANNY! Hope you are having a good time with Berg and Leslie, please let them know about additional members for the Goldfish reunion - miss you, Love Dp x
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Quote of the Day, which answers the Question of the day...

Why we sail - I wish I could describe the feeling of being at sea, the anguish, frustration, and fear, the beauty that accompanies threatening spectacles, the spiritual communion with creatures in whose domain I sail. There is a magnificent intensity in life that comes when we are not in control but are only reacting, living, surviving. I am not a religious man per se. My own cosmology is convoluted and not in line with any particular church or philosophy. But for me, to go to sea is to get a glimpse of the face of God. At sea I am, reminded of my insignificance. It is a wonderful feeling to be so humbled. - From the Introduction to Adrift by Steve Callahan via: Lorrie Berry

The Guest DJ has yet to make his appearance today, Song of the Day to be updated at a later time. Quiz master David has put together 25 questions for the inaugeral Testarossa Happy Hour PUB QUIZ! We will report back with the results tomorrow.

Cheers to All, and to All - The Best,

Testarossa Sends,
USA 143



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