Race 6 - Day 20
Skipper Report
11 February

Hola from Punta del Este!

Today we are crossing the Luzon strait, between the north of the Philippines and South of the Island of Taiwan. This area is renowned for strong winds and strong tides and when those two go in opposite directions the sea state increases and short waves start to break.

Right now we are sailing the waves with 30-40 knots of wind and surfing at maximum speeds of 25 knots full sails. It cannot get better than this! Although we are really tired from helming, trimming and doing our general duties in these conditions. We are having the time of our lives, loving the journey that got us here. Also with these are perfect conditions for our type of sailing that enables us to close in our competitor, Visit Sanya, China. In 8 hours time the boats ahead will enter an area NW of the Philippines with very light winds giving the boats chasing the front an opportunity to catch up.

Life on board goes on and this morning I woke up to the the smell of muffins made by Andrew, they are so good but so bad at the same time with the amount of butter and sugar he must put on them. Ben and David cooked a Thai green curry for lunch which is always a winner. I love the idea of seconds!

Bilges are empty of water, heads (toilets called heads in boats because in the old days crew used to go to the the head of the boat to do their things) are clean and all general cleaning is done. Everybody is religiously completing those daily tasks without complaints, or at least they don’t let me know.

300 nautical miles to our destination, Subic Bay in the Philippines.

Daily Stats:

Tune of the day: Keep yourself alive - Queen

Daily Run: 247 nm

Max boat speed: 25 knots

Sea life spotted: More flying fish.

Sailing maneuvers (sail changes, tacks and gybes): Spinnaker hoist and reefs

Drinks consumed: Peppermint and Licorice tea

Meal of the day: Andrew’s muffins

Crew of the day: Mary, the helming queen

Tip of the day: Enjoy the journey not just the destination

Clipper Race Fact: The Clipper Race is the world’s biggest round-the-world ocean race, and is also regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

Jeronimo