8 days of training, plus days of work to get the boat ready, and put her away, are coming to an end. Most of the crew are now on their way home, and tired muscles are getting a well earned rest. This was a great training session – steady trade winds, warm blue seas, and a crew ready to learn. The data gathering all week, and number crunching every evening, is fine tuning the driving and sail selection so we can always have the optimum sail choice, and be driving in the most efficient manner. We just need a race now to test it all out! The shore team as always had a fabulous time and are looking forward to the next gathering.
And what a race that was! A lighter than normal race – winds averaging 10 rather than 20 knots, made this a challenge of endurance as well as sailing – at the prize-giving event there were still 15 boats on the race course. For us losing electronics was a challenge to overcome – so we sailed with our heads focussed on wind and waves, not distracted by computer predictions nor readouts of all the data from the various sensors on the boat.
After 3 days and 11 hours of hiking, sail changes, trimming, tacking and gybing, we crossed the finish line in the dark and headed to the dock, to be met by the shore support team and cold refreshments. Quickly packing the boat away it was back to the house for a pasta supper and sleeping in a bed rather than on the floor or a pile of sails.
Today was spent cleaning the boat, packing racing sails, and generally starting to get the boat put away ready for the next adventure. The power problem was sorted out now we had access to spares, so we’re ready to go racing again.
We ended up 7th out of 17 in the IRC Zero division (the biggest and fastest boats), which considering our challenge, was a very positive result.
So time to relax as a crew with the prize-giving, then onto dinner and plenty of stories, and good times. Flying out has started, and now time to sign off this blog. Next up Les Voiles de St. Barths in April.
We are approaching Redondo with its “king” in mid afternoon. Light breeze for all and for us is working in our favour so we are closing in on boats ahead. With no electronics we don’t know where we stand.
Low on food, water, and snacks, high on morale. Still loving sailing “old school” – this is a race we’ll remember for a long time.
Looking forward to being greeted on the dock with a pile of pizzas and Rafa’s pasta.
Not looking forever to cleaning this floating health hazard.
The start of the race saw playful humpback whales broaching amongst the race fleet. Last night we sailed past an active volcano. You can’t say this race doesn’t have things to see outside of blue water and green islands.
Still sailing old school and if this is a success, may end up removing electronics etc! Maybe a fridge would be nice. No meals for 2 days now – will attack the roti stands when we get in – 1 more day.
Feels like an aftermath of a storm! Problems with alternator means we are sailing “old school” – no electronics or watermaker, just steering by feel and the stars at night (which have been spectacular). Very hot on board but spirits are high and the sailing is great.
