Crew Blog

Blue skies and green sea

04 May 2008

Today has been another picture perfect day with clear blue skies but a strange green coloured sea. I can only assume that this is some form of algae bloom, as the sea is normally the most beautiful royal blue. Racing has been good, if a bit frustrating as we chase the moderate breeze along the Mexican coast, having to gybe periodically as the direction changes. Once again we are without wind instruments and I am getting to quite like this way of sailing as it means that you have to rely on your senses and knowledge to gauge when to change sails, rather than adhere to a printed speed range. We are in the front three at this stage, with positions changing almost with every schedule, so it’s all very tight but still along way to go and a very real chance of a win. We just have to keep on grinding it out and keeping the faith.

The new ‘leggers’ are settling in extremely well. It’s amazing how the boat dynamics change after every stopover as we get fresh blood on board. For the first few days they are still feeling there way around, as for most it has been some time since they did their training. But over the past few days you can see their confidence grow as they get to grips with all that goes on during the various sail evolutions and gybes. It’s hard to think that I was like that 8 months ago, this has been an amazing journey with one of the steepest learning curves I have ever encountered.. Today it felt like a real professional team as we gybed within watch (ie didn’t wake up the other watch to help) and I am proud to be part of this team. The spirit and moral is fantastic, helped not least by being under spinnaker (ie not healed over) and the most perfect of blue skies above.

Big Hull & Humber love,
Nigel (Rose)