Oceanracing - 2006 - Asia Records

Asian Record Circuit 2006 - Leg 1/2
www.teamellen.com - Übersicht Leg1/2

Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 13:07
STORM CONDITIONS Ahead AND NOWHERE TO HIDE...

Latest email from Ellen
Hello there...
Well, the latest news from the high seas... things have been pretty full on today - it's now 1735 (GMT) and I haven’t closed my eyes since daybreak. It's been a long day, and things are not much better for the others. I tried to throw everyone out of their beds as we sailed out from behind the quiet gentle and protected lee of Yaku Shima Island into the cauldron of the East China Sea. It really was full on; although the latest weather file suggested that we would have 22 - 25 knots of wind, once again saw 40 knots! It was pretty grim, but we held onto the boat and she looked after us - and a few hours later - Loik and I were in the cockpit hanging on, ready to ease in the sheet lines during the gusts, but we were ok.

Over the last few hours the wind has finally decreased and the sea has flattened. It is not just the waves and wind that we've had to deal with but the other Japanese islands in our path too. Since we left the shelter of Yaku Shima we've sailed past four islands so far. I am glad we left, though half an hour after leaving, whilst being thrown around in the wind I did question whether it was the right idea! It's good to be on our way - this record is quite a challenge. We spend the night safely tucked away from the wind behind the island, which was quite odd really. The water was almost flat clam, and quite still until a gust of 38 knot of wind came hammering over the hill.

We were thrown up and down – whilst trying to hold our position and avoid the ship and the two fishing boats that were trying to take shelter too. The Island was over 1300 metres long and pretty awesome to see at daybreak – it’s covered in lush green trees, and rocky outcrops. We of course did not get the chance to land, but then that's life. The islands are generally incredible, and predominantly volcanic, we passed an island today that smelt of sulphur steaming from high up on its green slopes. I just love the scenery here, it is an amazing place. We also saw another booby today - one with a black back and another with a blue beak, at least I think that they were booby's - like slender gannets, just amazing!
Forgot to say that the night before the storm we had a little swallow try to land on the boat. It didn't make it, so I hope that it was ok, the swallows always used to arrive in Derbyshire around the end of April - so I guess it was on it's way northwest? Better go as I'm pretty tired, we are heading west to try to keep out of the worst of the weather in the next front which arrives tomorrow. It could be very nasty again, and I'm very worried about places to hide if it does. We made a smart decision to stop last night, but I’m not sure it will be as easy if we have to do that again. We will see what happens with the wind to see how we are set for Jeju Island. Yesterday we were doubting we were going to get away from the Island till Friday - so I guess anything right now is a bonus, and the hope that we can remove our survival suits soon....