Arc of light - 16:00 UTC Monday 6 May – Standing: 4th place.
I awake to a lilting, a relief after the last 48 hours which have been tough, with many of the crew managing sickness amongst still-required tasks: headsail changes, reefing in and out through the night, some strategic tacks, daily maintenance, advanced navigation and cooking. As I wake, the opposite crew are walking the salted Code 3 through the bunks ready to wool. We’re now tracking due south, downwind at last. We flew our first spinnaker late-morning and the crew have just switched the Code 3 for the Code 2, the Code 1 being the largest of our essential trinity.
Despite the difficulty of the opening days, I have noticed too the certain beauty. A perfect crescent moon, a hopeful dawn spilling through the clouds with its silver-lining reminder, the phosphorescent dolphin trails as they grace us alongside - magic!
The contrast has been mighty, yet our challenges have been interspersed with laughter, despite it all, and willingness.
As I get to send this we are 194miles from the Scoring Gate due West of San Francisco, with all to play for, and the sun is out.
Andreas is making Chicken Tikka Masala for dinner, and I’m so glad he doesn’t have to do it at a45-degree keel, as in previous days.
Onward.
Dizzy Maggs, Washington DC