First ever Clipper Race double scoring gate. Read all about it. Read all about it.
Well this has all been rather exciting. I wouldn't normally forfeit a meditation session, but yesterday afternoon it became necessary. The opportunity arose eight miles from the Western Scoring Gate. We were 2.5nm behind Qingdao with only eight miles remaining to the gate. We had made our Westing and it was time for both of us to turn our bows South. Qingdao attempted the manoeuvre first and was unsuccessful. There was some issue as their Spinnaker failed to re-inflate. This is it! This is our chance!! Our manoeuvre went okay in the 30 knot- wind over current conditions and we were catching them. Down came their wrapped sail. We were catching them, up went their Staysail and we were really catching them. Five minutes later, up went their biggest, most powerful downwind sail. WHAT!?!?! How is this possible? No, no, no this is not meant to happen. We were no longer catching them, three nautical miles remained to the scoring gate. Ahhhh. We won't catch them. End
The crew work on Qingdao was unbelievably slick and lightning fast. Rumour has it that we saw two ripped kites being retrieved and then replaced, with all the consequent pandemonium and loss of speed, before our flying blue boat could overhaul their narrowest of leads. Huge respect for the team effort. It was impressive to watch, and the three bonus points were well deserved. Four minutes (One mile at 15 knots) after Qingdao finished, we crossed the Scoring Gate to scoop two points.
A well known Race Official, commented on our scoring gate efforts said we "showed tenacity and bonus point gluttony." Now tenacity is a great compliment and a highly prized characteristic. Gluttony on the other hand... not so much. I know in certain cultures that your body weight is directly related to your persevered success in society. But for us sailors (think world class athletes) it is hard to find gluttony endearing. On the contrary, with our bright blue plumage, I suggest that our efforts yesterday were more in keeping with those of a beautiful hummingbird, going from flower to flower (scoring gates) collecting the sweet sweet nectar (points). Think of us more like an agile, delicate, beautiful bird and less like Augustus Gloop or a big fat hippo.
After a blistering night power reaching in 30-40 knots with far too much sail up and surfing at 25knots we are now plodding out west and awaiting another transition. Again the wind is supposed to swing a full 180 degrees from South to North. I get dizzy every time I stare at the weather forecast. I hope this email is sent... Our inbox is jammed with email support. Hopefully they will magically turn into the required wind, and deliver the result!
Here we go.
Ian and Mike.