We are south of the Baja California Peninsula now and clear of the effects of the Eastern Pacific High Pressure System which drove us so quickly southwards. We find ourselves wallowing in a wind hole, desperately trying to keep the code sail flying whilst watching the boats behind us steadily catching up.
Decision making has not been easy for the last 48 hours or so. Do we follow an inshore route, where there is a chance of picking up some sea breeze as the day warms up, or do we head offshore, where there may be a chance of small, isolated low pressure areas forming, sucking in the surrounding air and providing some drive for our sails?
Now that we have lost the wind, tactics play less of a role; if we’re not in position by now, it’s too late. The fleet has made its choices, compressed greatly and the waiting game has begun. Waiting for that breath of wind, waiting to see who gets freed up first, and for how long. We knew this was coming, of course, as we head deeper into the tropics and towards the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone, otherwise known as the ‘doldrums’), caused by the extreme heating of the earth around the equatorial region, and this leg of the race is known for it.
The Race Director has nominated no fewer than six potential finish lines for this race, enabling him to shorten the course appropriately to ensure that the fleet arrives in Panama in time for the next stage of our adventure; the transit of the Panama Canal! Apparently, on only one occasion has the race ever made it beyond the third of these and speculation is rife amongst us about how far we can make it.
In the meantime, Kev, Bruce and I have been constructing a sun shade for the helming positions. Westy has been restitching anti-chafe protection onto the spinnaker tack line (balancing at the end of our bowsprit for a good 40 minutes!) and Nathan and John did us proud in the galley today as Mother Watch. Local wildlife has, once again, provided us with some very welcome moments of distraction; a gannet took a fancy to AQP Al, and spent several entertaining minutes attempting, with varying degrees of success, to land on the pushpit rail next to him and a Blue Marlin showed us what it can do; jumping high out of the water several times, heading straight for us, at speed! We’re not entirely sure if it was hunting, fleeing or just plain old showing off, but these fish are amongst the fastest swimmers in the sea and it made a mighty impressive sight, whichever it was. At least, so I am told; these things always seem to happen on my off-watch, whilst I am asleep. C’est la vie!
All is well on Dare To Lead.
Nigel, Al and crew.