Race 12 - Day 9
Crew Diary - Race 12, Day 9: New York to Derry-Londonderry
05 July

Frank Segieth
Frank Segieth
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Visit Seattle Revisited – by Frank Segieth

Rejoining after doing Leg 3, the southern ocean sleigh ride, I observed differences in many aspects of rejoining the same game after about half a year.

Competitors:

Besides the very few first and last days of Leg 3 we just saw Qingdao for some seconds in the southern ocean. Now after 12 days in the north Atlantic there was hardly an hour where we didn't see at least one of the competitors on the horizon. And most of these hours just because the fog was hiding them. The same applies for …

Traffic:

I can not remember any AIS contact in the southern ocean between the few days with land in sight. The Atlantic seems to be a highway compared to that.

Wildlife:

The whales and dolphins populating the gulf current are amazing. But I miss the huge number of sea birds following the air turbulence of our sails in the southern ocean.

The Weather:

I can not complain about the hours of sunshine we got in the southern ocean. But in the Atlantic it seems to be much warmer. That might come from the gulf current with it's up to 22 degrees warm water. So to say floor heating.

The People:

Well people are different :-). So it it definitely another atmosphere, but it is hard to describe why. What I can definitely say that the joining crew was welcomed in a warm and helpful way in both legs.

Life on Board:

The processes on board, on deck and down below are more efficient and precise then they already were in Leg 3.

Tactics:

I feel much more informed and included in the progress of the race. That's not because the information was hidden before, but the discussion is much more open, all crew members seem to be involved because everybody understands much more what is going on and how to deal with the forecasts.

The above makes two adventures that are slightly different, but both exciting and joyful.

Frank

PS: Lisa & Ludwig. I wish you a perfect day tomorrow and the best for your way though life together.