The solo around the world yacht race and other sailing related items.
Progressing, Swapping places again
Skippers log #31
Well, I've had computer malfunction again. The satellite is not on line. The wind has switched to the east and I have dumped my water ballast and I am now under full sail with a full genoa set still trying to keep to the west of rhumb line. Minoru is pulling away from me at the moment and Balance Bar is catching up with me steadily. But hopefully we will hold for another couple of days and close up some gap with Minoru. I am heading more toward the left-hand side of the race course headed toward the Caribbean and now sort of abeam of the Caribbean but on the same latitude and trying to get a little closer to the islands and hopefully I can get some wind off of the islands should the high pressure be very dominant. So it is going to become very tactical in the next few days. I have now 1975 miles to go!
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Skippers log #32
12 24n 54 34w, 1,844 miles to Charleston
Just another uneventful day passing. Sailing with the spinnaker set. Reading to pass the time. Finished first draft of book. Now the hard work really starts with the research and interviewing people. Put out fishing line again. No luck yet. Will be fine on food though. In South Africa it is Mothers Day. Soon I will be seeing my mother. She arrives in Charleston next weekend. I hope to be in the following weekend of May 22.
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Skippers log #33
13-48n 56-24w
Conditions are light. Under spinnaker. Had 124 mile 24 hour run. Expect next 24 hrs to be slower. Did have time to enjoy watching a longtail(type of bird) circle boat all day,and watched hundreds of tiny fish jumping. Trying to enjoy the closing days of one of the greatest experiences of my life. Having one of Gwen's curries for dinner. I should be able to eat a meal now everyday.
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Skippers log #34
15-11n 57-46w
Coming along steadily. Wind light. Under spinnaker. Overtaken Minoru again, and pulling away. Balance Bar will overtake me tonight. Nothing I could do. Saw a ship today. Dolphins came to play for short while. Still caught no fish. Got no sleep last night while under spinnaker as it needed constant tending. Had one of Gwen's meals for dinner. Now dreaming of BBQ steak. Progress is down to 125nm a day. 1,593 nm to go. Tried to work on computer keyboard to try solving problem, but no luck. Still frustrating creating e-mail,and takes forever.
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Skippers log #35
16-52n 59-30w
Last night broke the spinnaker sheet (rope that connects one corner of spinnaker). Wind was light and it only took a few minutes to replace. This morning I saw Balance Bar on the horizon. Watching him bor 3 hours pulling away slowly. Did 140 nm in 24hrs and have 1,454nm to go. I hope 10 days which would be Saturday May 22, but we still have a few chances of calms, so, I am keeping an open mind as to when I get in. I am feeling the heat of summer. I could be in Antigua late tommorrow. Its that close. Did not get much sleep last night with spinnaker flying.