Race 1 - Day 6
Crew Diary - Focus,Focus, Focus
08 September
One of the reasons I joined the Clipper Race was to cross oceans, to sail in deep waters, “off soundings”, away from the coast. The past two days, crossing Biscay, have given me a taste of what’s in store.
We leave the English Channel and make the turn downwind, setting our Yankee 1 sail. The Yankee 1 is the largest of our “white” headsails. The mainsail is set with the boom off the boat and secured with a pair of preventer lines that we call “foreguys”. The Yankee and the mainsail gives us great downwind power.
Later, as the wind strength wanes we drop our Yankee, flake it on deck, and pop our Code 2 asymmetrical spinnaker.
Throughout the Level 4 training and continuing in Race 1, our AQP, Hugues, has been coaching me on helming in an ocean race. I can tell you, the technique is quite different than what I was used to in my years of coastal cruising. Here we focus almost exclusively on wind angle. The compass course is a reference, yes, but not our principal instrument. Tight focus on holding course is critical – no talking. Don’t be distracted by the activities of the rest of the crew. Focus. Focus. Focus.
The wind gathers strength and on the mid-watch we douse our code 2 and rehoist our Yankee 1. Everyone works together. The off-watch that just went below gives up some sleep to help the on-watch wool the spinnaker and get it bagged belowdecks.
The sea state is now 2-3 meters with big swells rolling through. If you time your steering correctly you can launch the boat surfing down the back of a wave, reaching speeds in excess of 20 knots over ground. Steering through the peaks and troughs reminds me of alpine skiing. Each surf down is followed by a cheer from the crew in the pit. This appreciation reinforces and enhances my focus.
Dare to Lead is a big boat. She asks a lot from her helmsmen. Wrestling the wheel exhausts my shoulder muscles. Maintaining tight focus tires me mentally. I switch off back and forth with my partner on the helm - 20 minutes at the wheel, 20 minutes kibitzing.
What does all this focus, this team work, produce?
Early in the race we made some mishaps which cost us in the standings. But we were not discouraged. Our skipper, Guy Waites, reminded us that heading down to Portimao is a race of about 1200 miles – stay the course.
As I write this blog we are overtaking the number two boat. We have, just this very minute, crossed the line and started the ocean sprint.
Our gear is in a jumble belowdecks but our snakepit is well organized. We are tired but not tiring. We no longer smell like polite company but we are good cooks. We are happy. We sing songs at watch changeover. Right now, today, I could not be in a better place than on this boat with this crew.
We are maintaining our speed, our focus.