ARC Day 3 - Champagne Sailing in the Trade Winds For Some
November 29, 2006 by World Cruising | 0 comments
Cracking along in a fine 15-20 knot NE breeze is what trade wind sailing is all. “This is what we came for!” said Colin Hall, skipper of British Oyster 53 Boysterous. “Champagne sailing in the Trade Winds. We’re bowling along at 8 knots on 259 degrees true, heading straight for St.Lucia. ”
But will the wind hold?
Already some of the leading yachts, those sailing the rhumb line course, have slowed after yesterday’s fast 24hour runs as they move into an area of less pressure, and a distinctive split is forming between the northern and southern groups. Though it means sailing a longer course, yachts opting for the more southerly route closer to the Cape Verde Islands seem to be holding the wind at present. Swan 100 Fantasticaa, managed a 259nm run down at 18N, whereas maxi yacht Capricorno , up at 25N has less distance to sail to St.Lucia, but managed 50 fewer miles than the previous day.
Rain squalls and Atlantic Swell – Not Quite a “Milk Run”
The crew of Nicholson 32 Compromise decided that perhaps their Atlantic crossing was not quite the “milk run” that some talk of. “The seas are sloppy, forcing the boat into an undignified waggling dance. During the night we surfed out a squall with all canvas set, but popped some of our mainsail sliders as in the process ”.
Wear and Tear on the Atlantic
And on board Lagoon 440 Maverick Dream, skipper Mark Vernon was amongst several yacht reporting damage to sails and systems. “Our spinnaker has finally given up the ghost, ripping beyond repair for us – a combination of 26 knot gust and a large wave pushed us sideways, and before I could get up to alter course it had caught on something sharp and ripped to shreds ” said Mark.
No time to get bored at sea
“Whoever said an Atlantic crossing on a small sailboat would be boring should be fed to the fish” said Swedish sailor Petter Barve, owner of Bluesette. “We have been repeatedly gybing our spinnaker and finally ripped it into pieces. At night we have dodged sailing and fishing vessels; dolphins have orchestrated a jumping show for us; the ARC SSB net has consumed time and throughout this our 19 year old star chef Alexander has been turning out three course dinners with ocean fresh sushi and ceviche from the 25kg dorado we landed today.”
Children’s Radio Net Up and Running
Part of the attraction of the ARC is that all of the yachts taking part call in every day as part of a radio net via the SSB. This year, there is an additional radio net just for the 27 children taking part which is being run by the very capable Sophie Ray, aged 9 on board Hanse 371, Hullabaloo .
Late Starters head off
Almost all the 225 ARC yachts are now at sea, with late starters Be-Bop-A-Lula reporting their departure from Las Palmas at 1530 today. Only one straggler now remains, German yacht Spica who put into Puerto Mogan on Gran Canaria for unspecified repairs yesterday.
