14.02.2006
Return to upwind sailing after calm patch
In Brief:
- Emotional rendezvous with helicopter south of New Zealand
- Dee crosses the International Date Line, now approaching halfway mark
- Regenerative qualities of sleep revive the exhausted solo sailor
- Successful repair made to the staysail
- Lively reaching conditions replace recent calm weather
- “I had 35 gusting 38 knots of wind and a grey sky back again,” reports Dee
Summary
“I think that now I have had a chance to rest, I have finally realised how tired I am.”
Dee recently reported that the calmer conditions had allowed her the longest period of sleep since departing Portsmouth, UK – just over 2 hours. This may sound like an incredibly short period of rest, but for Dee the regenerative qualities of uninterrupted sleep - and even a rare bout of sunshine - have given her the opportunity to contemplate the voyage so far and look forward to the journey ahead.
The calm weather provided an opportunity to catch up on some indextenance work and a chance for her to recover from a physically demanding chapter of the voyage.
“Even muscles in my body are starting to relax and let me know that they have been used quite a lot,” said Dee on Wednesday. “The timing couldn't be better as I approach that halfway point and the transition between the Pacific side of the Southern Ocean and the Indian side. It is almost as if I am being allowed to gather myself together during an interval, so that I can be ready for the second half.”
She was able to repair the staysail, appreciate her surroundings and also look forward:
“It is difficult when conditions are as tranquil as this to remember that nature can deliver life-threatening conditions as well. I have been given time now to contemplate the success of the voyage so far. It feels great and makes the second half appear more manageable. I am keen to get through the Southern Ocean but feel more confident towards the second half as we survived so well already.”
The wind picked up as she neared New Zealand, with “lively reaching” conditions according to weather forecaster Mike Broughton. Dee also crossed the International Date Line, providing a real and tangible sign of progress west before an emotional rendezvous with a helicopter south of New Zealand.
The rendezvous provided an opportunity to pick up the video tapes of Dee’s journey so far, but it was the presence of the same winch man, Dave Greenberg, who helped save the life of Dee’s gravely ill crewman during the Global Challenge last year that made the meeting even more poignant.
“I was so excited and didn't think for a minute I would get emotional,” wrote Dee, “but after the first fly-by and after talking to Dave on the VHF I had tears in my eyes. By the time they departed the scene and Aviva and I were alone again I shed some real tears. It is difficult to describe the emotions involved, but to have someone make the effort for you and wish you well for the rest of the voyage is very overwhelming.”
Immediately after the rendezvous was successfully completed, the conditions rapidly deteriorated. “Literally within two hours of waving goodbye, in perfect blue sky and sunshine, I was putting three reefs in the indexsail and furling some of the headsails away,” reported Dee.
“I had 35 gusting 38 knots of wind and a grey sky back again. Seawater doused the decks and the swell began to build into waves. Needless to say the wind direction also prevented me from pointing in the right direction, just to make sure I felt at home!
“I had a whole night of the wet and windy stuff, with the wind speeds reaching 42 knots. It didn't take long to remember what it is like banging and crashing to windward again.”
Quick Links:
Read Dee’s latest diary entry:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=6
Read Personal Coach Harry Spedding’s latest commentary:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=53
Send Dee a message of support:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=24
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