The solo around the world yacht race and other sailing related items.
Clean up, Sailing with Mino
Skippers log #17
15 41s 37 11w
Still struggling with light winds. Had ENE wind today when forecast said SE. Lots of rain squalls. One was so heavy, and lasted so long, I had time to take a shower. Got out shampoo and did hair. Even brushed it. Feel human again.
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Skippers log #17
14 18s 36 b39w
I am not feeling well. Have an upset stomach, feel dizzy and generally unwell. I think it is a reaction to the drugs Dr. Carlin has me on for the sore throat and ear infection. But a call from my friend Chuck Hooker cheered me up, as well as celebrating Danny Duke's, our accountant, birthday. I am still having light winds and slow progress.
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Skippers log #19
12 18s 35 10w
Squally conditions, better progress. Think I have reached the SE tradewinds. Spoke with John Van Allsburg who is helping to coordinate my speaking in Chicago on June 4 for the Rotary conference. In the middle of our conversation on the satphone, a rainsquall hit,and soon I had to break off to tend to the boat. Sat comms have been great for getting work done.
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Skippers log #20
09 47s 34 26w
Saw one of the most amazing sites in nature. It was during a rainsquall, with a nearly full moon setting. It was a moonbow. Think of a rainbow, but instead of all the colors, just an arch of white light...and I was sailing towards it. It is the second time in my life at sea that I have witnessed this spectacular view. At sunrise Minoru on Shuten Dohji appeared on my horizon. He had a 1 knot speed advantage over me with his longer water line length. All day he was catching up to me. He thinks he has lost his center board. Speaking on the VHF radio, we planned for him to sail close to me so that I could have a look and see if I can see his center board. We did some tight maneuvering, getting within 6 feet of each other. It was a true test of seamanship avoiding colliding. His center board could not be seen. He thinks he lost it in a collision with a whale. In the midst of our activities a squall hit us, but we just got wet. He has now pulled away from me, yet the race is far from over.
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Skippers log #21
7 00s 34 08w
Had a fast night. sailed 190 miles in 24 hours in the SE trades. Was extremely tired, and after 5 am local time took a 3 hour sleep to pull back my reserve energy. Set the genoa out on the spinnaker pole. Tomorrow I will turn at my last waypoint. The next waypoint is Charleston. Spent a lot of the time on the phone calling old friends. Spoke with Jim Fahy in Ireland who helped me with the media when I was unknown. Discussed the idea of us doing a documentary for Irish TV, his area of expertise, and something that would be fun.