Race 6 - Day 19
Skipper Report
10 February
Hola from Punta del Este!
Race 6 Dell Latitude Rugged Ocean Sprint is now completed and like always we have given it all. For those of you new to Clipper Race, during each race there is an Ocean Sprint set up between two imaginary gates and the fastest boat to cross the distance of 350 nautical miles gets three points, the second two points and the third one point. The decision is normally distance versus speed and obviously weather and sea state. This time we have decided to go for the shortest distance running at a competitive speed. The results will be revealed at prizegiving in Subic Bay, vamos Punta!
Life on board for the last few days has been happening at an angle of approx 35 degrees of inclination and that’s how the clipper 70’s boats are designed to sail in certain wind angles and wind intensity. The bottom line is that it makes our routine tasks like cooking, cleaning, emptying the bilges and just moving around extra hard. We have lines set up around the galley as a holding point to stop us from falling, it feels like we are climbing, not sailing! I am glad most of this race is downwind sailing and the boat goes a bit flatter most of the time.
The sea state is moderate but comfortable, however a wave breaks on the side of the boat every so often getting some of the crew wet, they come at random and they wet different crew at the time. Recently Cathy got a wave with her name on it that sent coldish water through her back. Yesterday David got completely wet twice leaving him with limited dry clothes (David, time to use your waterproof clothing). It is hot so it is easy to not put on weather protective clothing but it is wet because the continuous waves are crashing on deck. Today it has been the first night that we almost have to use our sleeping bag, a welcome cool temperature after three weeks of tropical sweaty weather.
We have 150 nautical miles to the race course mark Infante on the Luzon Strait, where the currents are strong and when opposite to the wind they create a shaky sea state. From then around 400 nautical miles to Subic Bay, including strong down winds and very light winds soon after. Remember the more unpredictable and varied the weather, the more tactical the race becomes.
Like always in Punta del Este, we continue fighting!
Daily Stats:
Tune of the day: German trance music, unknown artist (Played by Ingo Borman, our own German crew)
Daily Run: 280 nm Max boat speed:20 knots
Sea life spotted: Just the usual suspects, flying fish.
Sailing maneuvers (sail changes, tacks and gybes): Hoist stay sail
Drinks consumed: Peppermint teas are growing in popularity, but coffee is king when needing to be awake.
Meal of the day: Midnight instant noodle snack, what a treat!
Crew of the day: John Ballantine, for being our "impartial" judge and executioner onboard. Also for being a master of sea-shanties.
Tip of the day: Sea water is a great disinfectant
Clipper Race Fact: At 40,000 nautical miles long and taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of eleven 70-foot ocean racing yachts.
Jeronimo