Race 1 - Day 4
Crew Diary - Chasing Dolphins
06 September

After a rough night with a migraine, the dawn brings about a much gentler passage. Instead of the relentless beat upwind with the boat sometimes going beyond 45 degrees of heel and slamming her bow on broadside waves, we’re now sailing off the wind. The Yankee 1 has been set combined with full mainsail.

The helm is easy as usual and we see the occasional 12 knots when surfing down the waves. With the sunrise came dolphins, beautifully backlit over a sparkling sea. The galley watch is much easier today. David Gateley and Stephanie are busy preparing lunch. The smell of feshly oven-baked bread permeates the entire area below deck. Yesterday, saw Graeme and Michelle valiantly fighting off bruises and battering in order to see we were all fed and watered. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they give much to be admired as so should be the Mother Watches over the beating legs of the course.

Yesterday evening, before nightfall, cargo vessels were punching through the waves as they caught us, sending huge geysers of water up and over their decks, aerated white and high over their bows. The mood on board is of relief as getting about both above and below deck becomes so much easier. The crew is very supportive of those of us in difficulty with seasickness and the odd bruise and rope burn. Hot bunking is a little challenging, you do feel vulnerable on the high side.

Our position in the fleet is encouraging with some sister yachts just four or five miles ahead of us. We’ve been told that our boat Dare To Lead is now fourth fastest. This is all good news.