How are you doing, lovely to see you in this part of the world. International Date Line crossed at 22:45UTC, which was 08:45 local time for us, meaning a switch from Monday morning to Sunday morning. That was a right result, as we had eggs and bacon for breakfast, on a Monday, which had become a Sunday. If you find that confusing, telling the team we were going forward one hour in time and back one day caused a headache, until #1 announced, ‘it's simple we are going back 23 hours.” So, there we have it, simple, when you put it like that.
We have made some great progress over the last 36 hours, hitting speeds of over 18kts, with some wave assistance, and mainly on Reef 2 or 1and the Yankee 3. We are currently set for a headsail change once the cold front has cleared us and the wind veers (clockwise movement) into the north west, which will drop the temperature even further. We have covered over 4000nm and now have just over 2000nm to the Finish Line. Suddenly the possibility of making Seattle before the end of the arrival window is looking hopeful. The weather outlook until we reach end of ‘Highway 45’ is good. What comes for the last 1,000nm is still too far off to call, although I notice an area of light winds developing between 150º West and the Finish Line, which is very typical of that area, from my recollection. Between now and the finish lies an opportunity to make some gains on some of the fleet, we feel.
The good news is the mainsail is looking good, in terms of doing its job, and we have had a full main deployed and also Reef 1 and 2 in and it's done its job so far, in what I am estimating was up to 35kts of breeze. In terms of looks, I feel it would pass inspection by a man on a galloping horse as they pass. Mel, ‘Mido’ and Brian did a great job in really cold conditions, sewing, drilling and putting webbing in place. My hands got stiff with cold, and all I did was tie fisherman’s knots to the seven sliders that needed replacing. Thankfully the wind held off until we had managed to get the last slider back into the track as the swell started to pick up and the wind hit us once more.
Now there has been much talk of the ‘Mighty North Pacific’ and the fact that between race start and Qingdao, is the build up to this race, the ‘North Pacific. Now I don’t wish to cause any ill feeling between crews, but there have been whisperings developing in open talk about how far south some of the boats have stayed. If I may ‘Dare’, one boat is still at 38º north. The Bekezela crew didn’t see the ‘Quite Big Mid Pacific’ Leg option when they signed up. There have even been comments passed that at latitude, the purchase of an Ocean Sleepwear sleeping bag is hard to justify. Are the crew wearing hula skirts and still in shorts? These are questions being talked over on standby watches ;-) They might even be taking part in National Wear Your Pyjamas to Work Day today.
This crew has earned the right to say they have crossed the ‘Mighty North Pacific.’ They have followed #1’s example and have been seen on the foredeck, knocking the ice forming on the storm jib hanks. (OK there may be a little poetic license on that bit – but you get the drift.) They give creditability to their ‘brothers in arms’ on Our Isles and Oceans for their valiant attempt to obtain height and gain the ‘Might North Pacific’ bragging rights. A boat mainly full of Scottish and Irish was always going to head north, to keep clear of the heat, just saying. [Now if you are reading this as research for doing this leg in the future, there are two bits of really essential kit to purchase; an Ocean Sleepwear sleeping bag and a buffalo mountain shirt.
On this day, 16April 1984, one David Christopher Hartshorn, join the Gwent Constabulary as PC359 and started a 30-year career in the police service. Where the hell did those 40 years go?
Think that’s all for now, standing by this channel
David, Maisie and a cold but very ‘North Pacific’ Bekezela crew. (UTC-12)