After Sandy was given the keys to the North Sails van, the day went a bit downhill. Tristan diving on the boat to clean the bottom noticed that the tip of the rudder was missing – eaten by a passing shark; torn off with all the recent boatspeed; or like sailors everywhere, just buggered off to the nearest bar. Anyway our 9′ rudder was now a 7′ rudder, and apparently the drivers needed those extra inches, as Sean said, “ever inch counts”. They didn’t however notice that the rudder had shortened itself whilst driving around the ocean. Go figure.

So boat hauled, rudder out (we’re very good at this now), and calls made to source carbon fiber in Antigua or on yachts. The boatyard workers and crew got to work and the plan is that the new, improved rudder will be ready for a launch Sunday morning and a final day of training/testing. Fortunately we have had plenty of time on the water so far, so just a schedule change for the rest of the week.

Meantime the head has been replumbed and raised, the watermaker serviced, and the food packed – not by the same person! Safety briefing Saturday and a walkthrough of the race course/weather/etc., followed by the crew party at the Yacht Club, where it will all be quickly forgotten.

Almost ready for the off…

Whilst the Formula 1 cars are doing winter testing in Spain, we’re winter testing in Antigua – warm, wet, and sometimes not raining. Today’s work included man-overboard recovery, practiced in the harbour using the system devised by Volvo round the world crews. Excellent system and very quick and easy – in a harbour in daylight, good training though we hope never to use the skills and system. The sea was nice and warm!

Afterwards we tried out the new A3 on its furler – fast, wet and stable. All good. Next the new spin staysail – again a great sail and improvement over the last one.

So mainsail reefs in and out, lots of tacking, and a final high speed spin run (20+ knots) to Falmouth Harbour, and the day was over, didn’t break anything, and crew relaxed and happy.

More tomorrow!

Busy day on the water and all went well – good training day! Wind in the 20’s again with seas not quite so big. Headed to the west end at very high speed with the chute up – 20+ knots, which gave us a long upwind to get back. Saw a Mod-70 trimaran coming in – the big boats are gathering. After the crew debrief last night, changed a few things around with good results.

As we didn’t break anything, and the boat is in great racing condition (excellent prep work Brad!), we got home for a swim before 5 – luxury.

Debrief followed by BBQ at the main house tonight, and much needed relaxation and rest before we do the same tomorrow.

Think I’m wearing my gloves out?

Today we had big breeze, big waves, and a big spider… The consensus was a tarantula, although it could have been a small dog, chicken, or mongoose. The Australian contingent kept well clear, and with their experience of dangerous creatures, the rest of the crew followed suit.

Out on the water we ran through the basics to make sure halyards pulled sails up, and winches were uncomfy to sit on, etc. Didn’t spend too long on the water as big seas without full crew wasn’t going to accomplish much. The rest of the crew arrived this afternoon, so now we have a full complement – representing USA, Canada, Bermuda, Australia, Italy, Spain. Next up a solid week of training before the race start. Boat is looking good!