Hello World!

All is well on board 'Kevin', we are rapidly ticking off the miles with averages of 275 and 278 nm per 24 hour running, at this rate we might be in for one of the fastest Clipper Race New York to Derry~Londonderry crossings. We are still riding the front of a low pressure area that seems to carry us forever! A couple of days more and then we should be able to head north more properly and follow the high pressure area that is currently positioned west of Ireland.

Crew morale is great, with some exciting sailing in strong winds, with some daring kite sailing moments, and well controlled drops afterwards. Currently we are back on white sails as the wind angle came too steep to sail our work horse, the Code 3. After a very bleak first day out of New York, where we thought there was no wildlife in the Atlantic, bar the Orcas and some distant whales in the previous blog, we have finally seen some whales up close to the boat. First 3 minke whales who passed by only 10 metres from the boat, right at the time when we were performing a kite hoist. Later on a large pod of whales were spotted slightly further away and therefore safer in the distance. Also various pods of dolphins paid us a visit. This afternoon the temperature finally dropped and haze started to form, due to the difference of cold air flowing over a warmer sea, in this case the Gulf Stream... so no surprise that most of the crew have now found their hats and foulies.

Fleet-wise there is not so much difference going on, we are still dancing with our comrades in battle, Visit Sanya, China who were this morning only 1 nm behind us. Also the other boats around us seem to stay a similar distance to us. Let’s see what the future brings

Tot Overmorgen.