20 January 2008
With their return to the Atlantic Ocean the crew aboard Temenos II are back to a
life heeled over once more. Close reaching in bright sunshine, the duo are
beginning their climb towards the next course gate of Fernando de Noronha. As
regards strategy, the direct course not always being the best option to make
headway under sail, the monohull is currently bending its course towards the
East in order to round a zone of high pressure. Though they’re adding to the
miles to be covered, the two co-skippers are hoping that this course will enable
them to avoid the calms closer to the Argentinean coast.
Save for a bank of seaweed which caused them no end of trouble last night, on
this 71st day of racing, all is well aboard the monohull, as Michèle and
Dominique were able to observe in a thorough check-over yesterday on entering
the Atlantic.
“It’s a fine day. We have 15 to 20 knots of wind and are making good speed"
indicated Dominique, contacted late morning. “At 50° to the breeze, on deck the
apparent wind is stronger which increases the chill factor. The water is 7°C and
that really chills you when you make manœuvres. Last night we got caught up by a
mass of seaweed to the South of the Falkland Islands, where the sea bottom
climbs from 4,000 to 50 metres. Each time the keel started vibrating. The banks
of seaweed were very big. When hooked around the keel they were still strung out
for 4 metres behind us. We had to stop the boat and go into reverse to get clear
of it.
We didn’t see Cape Horn and we won't see the Falkland Islands either. We haven't
seen land since New Zealand. It's reassuring to know they're there, but we can't
see them!
At the end of the day we should hit a little more wind and be able to pick up
the pace a bit, but nothing like the average speeds we achieved in the Pacific.
The only thing we've kept from the Southern Ocean is two albatross, which have
been following us since yesterday.”
“The first day in the Atlantic has been sunny and windy, and we’ve made the most
of the conditions. Temenos has managed to trace a route towards the NE in order
to round the vast zone invaded by high pressure the length of the Argentinean
coast. We’re extending our course but we’re going faster, reducing the risk of
coming to a standstill in a windless zone.
Apparently this is the same option as our closest rival, Mutua Madrilena. We
were fairly satisfied that we were able to hold off her comeback yesterday. They
made the Horn with a front whilst making headway on a direct course, which is
something we weren't able to reap the benefits of. Meantime we were forced to
make a series of gybes and cover more miles.
We left the Pacific with a slight lead over them, which is clearly a more
comfortable position to be in and one that suits us well. We’re ready now for a
fresh start and a new ocean.
We have made the most of this fabulous day to devote a large amount of our
attention to technical details. This has meant a review of the boat giving rise
to the "deal of the day" aboard Temenos II: “me I’m controlling the deck and you
are down below!” A few little lashings to redo, the steering cable to tighten
and the drying out of the wet zones. All in all the technical testing was
performed fairly quickly. Temenos II is in good shape.
For climbing the mast, there was no need to draw lots. Things are clear between
Dom and I. For the obvious reasons of weight it is only logical that he 'hoists
me aloft'. These mast climbs at sea are always a little chaotic and reaching in
15 knots of breeze is pretty sporty too! We bore away a little as it slams you
around up there. The descent was careful and as I cling on I realise that I have
more strength in my arms. It has to be said that the physical training has been
intensive for some time now!
The sun is already beginning to skim the horizon and it’s been weeks and weeks
since we've had the opportunity to see a really good sunset. Perhaps we'll be
lucky enough to see the green flash? Apparently you have to be in love to see
it…
The boat is flying along. We’re watching the speed polars and going for 100% at
the moment. My co-skipper and I are trying to outdo each other in the bid for
the best performance during a watch. The competitive spirit is alive and kicking
and the dialogues go along the lines of: "yes, but you had more breeze" or "we
had to manoeuvre during my watch" or even "the waves weren't coming from the
right direction”, and even end on a bitter note sometimes with "these polars
don't mean a thing!"
I’ll have to give cruising a try one of these days!
Michèle"
--
Kate Jennings
Expression.
P.O. Box 26,
Dartmouth,
DEVON.
TQ6 0YG
United Kingdom
+44 (0)7795 116699
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