Crew Blog

Hey Amigo

03 May 2008

Plotting the most recent race positions, it became apparent that we’ve all got wind. Good strength, in the right direction, and we just broke through the 1500 miles-to-go mark. Spirits are high on board, and those of us competing with Liverpool 08 in the “Best Central American-Style Moustache” competition are examining our newfound companions with admiration. We may not win the bottle of bubbly on offer but the ‘taches should be worth at least one free drink each in the wrong type of Panama City’s bars.

Ever the individualist, Jules has decided to go for the full beard option so he’s more revolutionary than bandito. Oscar is trying manfully to produce some ginger bumfluff (he says his dad would be proud) and, well, my beard is a sad reminder that I’m greying all the time. It’s the stress of not working, and sailing in the sunshine with good company, good food and, as I mentioned before, a following wind.

Off our port bow we have Uniquely Singapore in our sights. Having another Clipper yacht so close is really motivating. Tracking them on the radar shows them to be four miles away, a position they’ve occupied for the last 15 hours or so. It’s frustrating trying to eat away at a two-mile lead all the while they’re no doubt trying to extend it. To be so close after 1700 miles, part of the leading group so closely packed, shows just how intense the racing can be. One bad evolution, or concentration slipping on the helm, and you can lose a mile in a heartbeat.

The weather has suddenly become tropical. The water temperature has doubled to 30 degrees C in the last five days. It’s shorts weather day and night and Nic is now down to only one set of thermals and her huge mid-layer fleece. Yes folks it’s that warm. I’m off to top up my tan (again), amigos.

Christian