Race 13 - Day 1
Skipper Report
23 July

Hello Team,

Great to see you again, how are we this “Back at it again” Monday, all set for the final big push this week? Since race start for Race 13, the crew have been experiencing some very fickle winds, in terms of strength and shifts. Although over night the pattern has settled and we are currently getting 12kts from the west.

Here we are back on the water after an amazing time in Derry-Londonderry. The warm welcome that we initially received from Mayor John Boyle was extended by all we encountered in the City. We were lucky enough to have to have paired up with Nonnas Wood Fire Pizzas under the fantastic Adopt A Boat scheme.

Gwen, the manageress, and her team could not have been more accommodating and the pizzas, simply awesome. We even managed some sightseeing and one day had a bus tour, including going to Malin Head, as linked to the inshore shipping forecast. Although I did think it was somewhat ironic, that we choose to sit on a bus for an hour and a half to go and look at the sea! When we left yesterday the send-off was as equally rewarding as our arrival. With 1,000s watching us slip lines and the parade of sail and dozens of small boats escorting us out to race start. Thank you Derry-Londonderry for a great time.

We said Goodbye to David, who returned to the States for a family wedding, which is this Saturday – think something else might be happening on that day this week. Also, to Bruno, whom unfortunately got recalled to work so had to cut his race short. Other changes onboard are Nicola, becomes the Watch Leader on Union Watch, closely assisted by Pip. Julie moves over to Jack Watch to become the Assistant Watch Leader, to be coached and mentored by Jon.

Currently we are closed hauled with the Yankee 1, staysail and the full main. Since race start we have hoisted the Code 1 (lightweight spinnaker) twice, with it’s nice new – and lots of tape patches - sewn on. Had the wind seeker up and down twice and put in a few reefs and shaken those out as well. Think that is going to be the story and trend for this race. All that combined with a slightly lumpy sea state have created an early opportunity for the Green Monster to make an earlier appearance to catch up with some old friends.

Well it’s a little early in the day for some GREAT Britain stats, other than there are currently 771nm to the finish for this race and I am hoping for our first wrap free race, and I am not talking about Kite Mares.

Oh, did you know that per capita, the Irish eat more chocolate than Americans, Swedes, Danes French and Italians all together.

Standing by this Channel-out

Dave