Race 10 - Day 23
Crew Diary - Race 10 Day 23
19 April

Oh buoy – there's storms then there’s Pacific storms

Aloha -cause most of the crew would rather be en route to the heat of Hawaii right about now- to fellow Our Isles and Oceans followers out there.

Let me summarise week 2 on board Our Isles and Oceans for you: cold. It's probably the most said word on the boat at the moment. Even though we all knew it was going to be the coldest leg, we are still shocked by how cold it actually is. Over discussion, the worst part being a very cold heads toilet seat. Oh and also getting out your cosy warm sleeping bag.

After a very balmy week 1, we soon entered our first low-pressure system of the North Pacific. We were heading NE and sailing upwind throughout. Climbing up the companionway and emerging onto the deck was quite the experience especially as my first watch within the storm was at night. The sky and surrounding areas were intermittently being lit up by lightning which was spectacular to witness. The boat was heeled over and the wind was in full force, reaching 35-40knots. The white water surrounding the boat was illuminated by the plankton bioluminescence. The rain was lashing down and occasionally larger waves crashed into the cockpit and spilled down the companionway, soaking any unlucky passers-by. When I took the helm the hailstones began battering my face making it hard to see at times. It was quite a roller-coaster ride.

Since the first storm, it has slowly begun to get colder and colder. Even writing this blog my hands are freezing.

We continued beating upwind for another week until we reached 45 degrees North then began heading East. We boldly took on our second low-pressure system, which in comparison to the first was a bit of a disappointment. No lightning, more drizzle and mizzle, and lots of crashing waves catching crew members out in the cockpit. I was fortunate to get a true drenching whilst heading back towards the companionway, oh how I wish I’d opted for my drysuit over foulies at that moment. This left the crew, our belongings, and the boat pretty soggy. Even the toilet paper was suffering, and unfortunately, we lost a few to the dripping wet walls of the heads (toilets).

The good news is we are back in the sunshine (cold sunshine) and yesterday were able to dry out ourselves, gloves, boots, foulies during day watches up on deck. We are also now heading downwind and have enjoyed a few days of riding the Pacific rollers. At night it is bitterly cold on deck- I’ve even opted for a hot water bottle as well as the 5 layers under my foulie smock to keep warm on deck.

Unfortunately for now we are stuck in a wind hole that appears to like us a bit too much. I don’t think the weather got the memo we are racing towards Seattle.

Tragically today we also had an SOB – Speaker overboard. Even on a no-blame boat, the spinnaker sheet took the blame.

Beth

Leg 6 OIAO Ambassador