Hello, Qingers!
So, today let's talk sailing! That’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? The conditions on this race have been varied, we’ve had a bit of everything now. We’ve had A to B sprints where there’s little in the way of tactics and it's basically just a drag race to see who’s trimming/helming the best. We’ve had wind holes develop – these we try to avoid when we see signs of them coming. We’ve had squally weather which brings rapid increase in wind and huge wind shifts – this usually calls for a change of sail plan, squalls are often a menace but sometimes they can actually help you get a little extra speed. And recently we’ve had stronger wind in the Ocean Sprint where you just pick a sail plan and keep the boat pointing the right way. I came up with a game when on the helm called ‘soak the crew’ in which I try to get as many waves into the cockpit as possible (I hold the high score and haven't actually informed the crew of the game they play.) With these different conditions, there are a lot of sail changes and the crew IS becoming more and more efficient. Seeing people gravitate to the areas they’re best at and enjoy the most while all working together; whether you’re on the bow, in the pit, or on the helm, good communication is key, and knowing in what order everything happens.
If you hesitate to change to a sail plan it could easily lose you miles to the other boats, likewise, if you change to the wrong sail plan it can do the same. Generally, if we’re going faster than the boats around us, why change anything? If we’re slower, you have nothing to lose so why not change it up? If you’re going the same speed, then it's a tricky call. Changing a head sail takes time and there's a period during the change when you’ll slow down or maybe come off course; you have to be sure the change will outweigh this loss.
We have a couple of games and challenges on deck to keep us competitive within the boat; for example, we record each helms average speed, and we time our evolutions and try to beat them each time. This helps engage everyone in the different jobs and it's good to see crew develop their skills.
The stronger weather has made for some fun foredeck time for those who dare go up there. To give you an idea as to how much water we’ve been taking over the bow, I’ve lost contact lenses on more than one occasion during a sail change.
Helming practice has been great on this leg with all the changeable wind with 4 of us joining the ‘20 club’ going over 20 knots down a surf under spinnaker.
Now as we get closer to the Finish Line, naturally we all think about the luxuries that wait for us on land. For me, a burger, beer, and shower (maybe all at the same time) is the carrot dangling in front of me calling me to the finish.
But for now, we have a downwind sleigh ride toward the finish. A good time for boats to go into Stealth Mode. The fleet has spread out with a few different tactics showing. Only time will tell who is right.
Love to those at home,
Henry and Phil and the dragon riders