Frustrated Race 10 Day 27...
We are the crew, racing along at 12+ knots. We have shaken off Perseverance and UNICEF. Even calculating what we need to do to get onto Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam’s tail. (Big respect for their Race 10 sail). Music to power us down the surf, congratulating each watch on their speed and prowess. We have even phoned the trophy room to start the engraving of our victory.
Exquisite thoughts of cold beer, a juicy burger, a warm bath and peaceful soft bed become nearer by the hour. Yacht racing is so good and fast!!
Of course, we knew about the wind hole in our future, but like all reality on board it took second place to our final finishing fantasy. (Except Phil and Henry who were quietly trying to calm us down.)
And then we arrived…in the wind hole and it slowed!!! Everything slowed, the lack of wind sapped the boat and our adrenaline flowed away. All sail setting nuances were used, creatively trying to get some motion from 1.5knts of wind.
The boat complained, groaning and clanking, rattling and banging. Complaining that as a fast-sailing yacht its dignity was being insulted in such conditions and how could we treat her so.
The ocean became a treacle-like pond gripping the hull and holding us in place with no mind to let us go. The waves gave us a tantalizing caressing movement towards our destination, teasing by withholding the sensual delights (I have been on this boat too long you may say) of beer, burger, bath and bed.
We hear Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam is four hours from the finish. Perseverance and UNICEF are now on our tails with different positions and maybe different outcomes.
Let the Windseeker seek that wind and our humiliation with the weather be rewarded.
So remember if you want to make the Wind Gods laugh tell them your sailing plans…Got a call to make now cancelling that trophy.