Crew Blog

Entering the Sunda Strait

10 January 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond's skipper dresses for the weather

Last night we entered the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java.
After a week at sea it was strange and a little unnerving to be sailing
surrounded by land and lights. Unfortunately Baby Krakatoa passed as a
shadow in the darkness, so we weren’t able to get a good view of it. We
spent a busy night trying to make the best of the light winds, changing the
spinnaker several times, which particularly pleased the mothers/spinnaker
packers in the hot and humid conditions below. A disconcerting banging
against the hull probably indicated that we had snagged a fishing net or
float, but thankfully it seems to have come free on its own. This morning
the spinnaker changes continued, and the temperature increased to the
hottest of the trip since leaving Liverpool. Those on deck without a job
huddle in the small amounts of shade created by the sails. Sleeping below
during the day has become almost impossible, but when a spinnaker comes down
the companionway, all those off watch are suddenly dead to the world! This
would be the ideal weather for salad and cold drinks, but today’s daybag
contains a mammoth tin of spaghetti in tomato sauce. It seems likely this
will be served cold, and if we use our imaginations, we can pretend it is
pasta salad. As for the cold drinks, even more imagination is required. It
is hard to believe that in a few weeks’ time we will be freezing in Qingdao.

1. Eamonn, Esther & Mick, London 12 January 2008

Enjoy the weather while it lasts but don’t forget about the race, your not too far off the leader.

Neilly, surprised you never offered to go down and free what ever was banging against the hull whilst singing ‘Ging Gang Gooley’.

To all on Durban, keep it safe on the seas and you eye on the finish!

2. NORMAN, DURBAN 12 January 2008

I trust you are not draging anything in the light air you are sailing in. It must be frustrating and difficult to predict wind under your present conditions. The only consolation is that you all experiancing similar weather and that anyone of the front 6 yachts can strike it lucky.
GOOD LUCK

once again may the code word “drive” be an omen

3. Alida du Preez, Illovo Beach 14 January 2008

Hallo team, I know the conditions is not to ideal, but what went wrong. Eish, and a lot of it seems needed. We need you in the lead not in 6th place, so out with the tacktic (tack tic) and get around the lot in front of you. We know you can do it, just be creative about it and sneak around. Good luck and I hope to see the position are better when I next log on.

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