Race 2 - Day 3
Crew Diary - Race 2 Day 3
18 September

Scott Draper
Scott Draper
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To everyone following Visit Sanya, China from afar, fear not guys, we’re still leading the pack! Currently just off the Coast of Morocco north west Africa with the Sahara due south, and the rest of the fleet behind or slightly west of us.

For now, we’ve got the Code 2 Spinnaker up heading downwind towards the Canary islands enjoying smooth 10 knot sailing, great sleep, even better food and superb holiday vibes. But as Skipper Seumas said during the London Parade of Sail, “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” so we’re keeping a tight watch out for the other teams progress, movements and velocity every time an update comes in. Whoever is at the helm is being supported closely by both their hovering helm buddy and someone below deck at the Nav station at all times, particularly whenever we hit a patch of low wind speeds to really keep attention focussed.

Our resident handyman Luke has been sporting a truly on point ‘wife beater’ look all day today thoroughly souring the high class professional look, we’ve managed thus far in our fine Musto uniforms. It was all just about bearable until while sitting against the guardrail trimming the spinnaker sheet with his all too revealing short-shorts blowing wide open for all to see … priceless.

Since switching watches with Chris, our resident Latvian slave-driver Vad has been whipping his new watch into shape and they seem upset with Afshin for eating the entire month’s supply of pringles in the first three days.

Chris reports that after 72 hours of racing, he has changed not only his socks but also his underwear, much to the shock of our resident Russian Dennis who seems perfectly content with the concept of “one pair per race”! God only knows how badly he will start to pong once we hit the doldrums in a week or so.

With such fine weather and smooth sailing to be enjoyed, the watch system seems to be enjoying a much greater level of flexibility as people are happy to spend their off time on deck enjoying the views and company of the other watch crew. This led to an impromptu ‘sailor boy band’ moment under our sexy new parasol on the starboard helm, which I expect to find all sorts of embarrassing pics and videos splattered across the internet by our media crew member Guan Xi. I wonder if the other teams are having as much fun on board their Clipper Race yachts as we are on Visit Sanya, China.

One team I can almost guarantee is not having a good time today is WTC Logistics who after a string of bad luck in Race 1 have reportedly snapped their mainsail halyard. Luckily Visit Sanya, China took steps early on with their halyard management, setting up a double Spinnaker halyard which we switch every hour and exercise every 30 minutes.

For now, the weather, boat, team spirit and race position are all as we would hope them to be at this stage. We’ve even managed to make fresh yoghurt, fresh cake AND fresh bread on board today and we have enough dinner for not only seconds but thirds too!

Fingers crossed things carry on this way as we continue to race.