Race 4 - Day 20
Crew Diary - Race 4 Day 20
08 December

What a difference a day makes. Blue skies almost all day today and temperatures in the sun that feel like 25-27 degrees Celsius, a marked contrast from the last two weeks of continuous grey skies and temperatures of three - ten degrees. Spirits are consequently lifted, and cabin windows have been opened for the first time to blow out the continuous condensation that drips as the boat heels from the internal walls and ceilings in small flurries, sprinkling you intermittently in your bunk with internal rainfall.

We are circa 700 miles from Fremantle, doing better than expected at 8-11 knots of boat speed in better winds than forecast. The kite is flying, we skim along, the Big Blue Boat on a big blue sea under a big blue sky.

There is much debate on board on how best to negotiate the expanding high-pressure weather system, which is creating a wind hole ahead of us, directly in between our present position and our destination Fremantle. The current forecast shows a windless band of water approximately 30×150 miles wide. Races are won and lost in such places where there is not a breath of wind, one sits dejected as the boat sits stationary, bobbing about aimlessly, sails lolling from one side to the other, with no forward propulsion. At such times the canniest sailors show their true ability in finding the best route through, either stealing a march on those in front or left adrift only to be overtaken by those who made a better judgement. Races are won by those who make the least mistakes; this is a nail-biting finish for many boats in the clipper fleet where tens or even hundred-mile gains can be made and lost. Let’s see how it plays out!