24.04.2009
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LEG 6 DAY 14
I have said many times that one of the keys to success, and sanity, is
keeping an even keel about you and not getting too emotionally high or
low. Last night was the exception.
After a 4000 mile drag race, in which we admittedly did some good tactical
moves and certainly a couple that we would take back if we could, we saw
the opportunity coming to take advantage of a situation. Get right back
into this race and really close the distance to the leaders.
It was time to jibe, but the timing was crucial. Believe it or not, we
had been on starboard tack essentially the entire leg- since just after
leaving Rio. A big shift was coming and then the crucial crossing of the
first of two frontal lines. But this one was going to include a patch of
light air that was going to slow down the people in front to a standstill
and if we played our cards right we could do some damage. The tendency
was going to be to jibe early, indexly because at one point, port jibe
became the closest jibe to the mark. In fact, we were in a nice position
here because we could pick our time and not have to worry about another
boat "jumping" us toward the mark. We had a plan.
Essentially the plan was to find the very shortest zone of light air, and
even though we were going to sail a bit of extra distance- it would surely
pay big dividends in the end. E4 and T-Blue went stealth as they were
close to each other and we expected that to happen. That gave us a three
hour position report to get to our jibe line. Which we did, and sure
enough everyone, except E4 jibed early. As it turns out E4 jibed close to
our line.
Anyway, after the jibe we had some of the best sailing of the trip. We
saw 34 knots of boat speed and were incomplete control (for the most
part). Two scheds in a row of making up ground and sure enough, big gains
on T-Blue and E3 as they entered the zone of light air first. Now, we
just have to get through this skinny patch of crummy wind first. First
boat out wins was my theory. And sure enough, E4 came out of stealth
right on our line and appeared to be through the zone- now came the fight
for second, at least for the time being. Middle of the night, seven knots
of wind and the masthead genoa making tracks to salvation. Comeback ready
to happen. A little lull, followed by a bit more of a lull and a large
black cloud over top. It will clear out soon. We have been sailing
through little rain squalls for hours now. Come on...any time.
Two of the longest hours of our lives later we start to move again. But
during that time the human being rationalizes that everyone is in this
mess and we just have to be a tiny bit better to get out first. Rationale
aside, the others were streaking away at 15 knots during those two painful
hours. I said it before; you live by the sword and die by the sword. Last
night we got stuck by the sword pretty good. And when the position report
came out with the cold hard facts- the silence on board was deafening. All
that work. I thought I had broken my hand on the indexsheet pedestal by
slamming it so hard- it is just a bruise.
Okay, now the big cliché. Time to regroup. Ain't over till the fat lady
sings. Stranger things have happened. Etc, etc.
And if we weren't down enough, Mother Nature kicked us in the teeth with a
second frontal passage with 40 knots of wind right on the nose. Next to
the Gulf Stream. Nasty waves and a couple sail changes that no one likes
to do even on nice days.
So off we go. Have to get going again, looking for any opportunity and
sailing smart until we get one. Upwind for a while through the rest of
the stream in 25-30 knots of wind which is about as unpleasant as it gets.
So, do I have much nice to report? Not really. But I am coming around
and about to get back on deck and have at it again. Everyone is
disappointed but has shaken it off. Time to get to Boston.
- Kenny
For more information on Puma Ocean Racing, please contact:
Bridgid Murphy or Kate Fairclough - PUMA Ocean Racing
Tel: +1 978 996 5155 or +44 7827 277 517
bridgid.murphy@puma.com or kate.fairclough@puma.com
please visit www.puma.com
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