Race 6 - Day 22
Crew Diary - Race 6 Day 22
13 February
Happy Anniversary Hans - one month today since we tied the knot on the boat in Airlie Beach. It feels long ago and also like yesterday. How is that so? The good memories of that day and following week have certainly sustained me throughout the doldrums and heat on what feels like such a slow, slow leg. Thank you.
It has been such a different leg (aren't they all?). The last couple of days have been very full and now we are back in another wind hole again. Ugh!
After coming through the Luzon Straight we picked up some lovely wind, Codes flying, surfing, great speeds up to 22knots if I remember correctly, possibly more. We knew we would come into this wind hole we are currently in so wanted to get as far and as fast as we could in front of of the fleet. It partially paid off - we did have a few problems on the way.
Two particular night watches will definitely stay in my mind forever. We had the Code 3 up, racing along, on the edge of control, crew were trimming the sheet and there was an override on the winch. This is where the sheet (rope controlling the spinnaker) twists over itself on the winch and cannot be eased. When the sheet needs easing, it needs easing often in a hurry. I moved over to help, we were at quite an angle, and the call came for 'ease'. Without waiting to get into a better position or pre-thinking the power that was in the sail at those speeds I quickly took a wrap off the winch to try to fix the override. Another gust hit and the power in the sail dragged two of my fingers into the rope on the winch, blood curdling (apparently) scream from me, then as another crew member pulled to assist, another gust and the rest of my hand, two of their fingers also wrapped into the winch. More of a scream from me as I visualised the absolute worst. Quick as a flash, Josh, who was off watch, was on the deck, grabbing the sheet rope with all his strength from a much better angle and freed us.
Everything was brought under control on the deck and we were bundled below (me a gibbering wreck as I contemplated my daft action and nursed a very sore hand, arm and shoulder). So lucky. The new watch was soon on deck and the adrenalin rush that we'd all experienced subsided. As if that wasn't enough excitement for the night, four hours later when we, Baywatch, came on for our next watch.....
The wind was still strong, 25 - 30knots, the Code 3 still flying but getting a bit harder to control, a couple of broaches' then 'bang' and she broke. Just the top of the sail was left flapping from the masthead, the rest in the water trailing by its' sheets. All hands called on deck for the retrieval, Staysail raised to stabilise the boat, then Hugo up the mast to clear the remains. The Yankee was then raised and we hurtled off through the night under white sails once more. It sounds easy when you write it quickly but by the dawn we were all both physically and emotionally exhausted. No one likes to see a sail in the water, in any condition and getting it back on board safely and quickly in the night is a huge job. I had to wait until the morning to feel sore and sorry for myself!!
Now we are in the wind hole, Qingdao are within visual range and the finish line is still over 200nm away. We will have to keep our wits about us, stay focused and have some luck as well to hold our lead position. Fingers crossed.
Love and Hugs to home - Hans, Axel, Liz, Zak, Corrin, Vic, Chris, Sue, Dave, Denise and all my wonderful friends. I've been a silly sausage but will sail on!