Skippers log #7
45 32s 170 41s at 23:20 GMT
Another moring has dawned after a cold but quiet night of steady winds. It was cold enough to start the heater, and the heater worked. Thanks Larry! I now plan to leave it on and not turn it off till it warms up after the Horn. I put 36 galleons of fuel aboard each leg and on leg 2 had only consumed half of it, so there should be enough to run the heater non stop and charge, and still have fuel left over. While we were in Aukland Nan and Ben Hall stopped by while on holiday, followed by Angelo Laveranos. I met the Hall's in America and knew Angelo from Cape Town where he designed two boats that sailed the BOC Challenge. As I am sailing out here, I am thinking how small the world really is. I have so many miles to go, but there are so many people who travel these cold and warm miles, with me, through the dangers and the high momements. Spike the paper moth from Midland Park Elementary school hangs over the chart table with Gwen's photo, a reminder of one I love, and a school with tremendous potential. Jane Dyke the media specialist at Midland Park keeps the sparks alive in the library and on the high seas, along with her colleges who turn that potential into young energised students. So much we all have to live for.
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Skippers log #8
45 50s 168 07w at 19:05 GMT
The winds have gone light, the skies are non threatening and there is even a promise of summer weather down here in the southern ocean. We are anxiously awaiting news of Isabelle Autissier whose EPIRB went off and has been unreachable. The remaining two 60 footers too have not responded to race control messaging yet. 2000 miles ahead of me is another young adventurer. Jessie Martin from Australia is trying to become the youngest person to sail non-stop around the world at age 17. We spoke with him aboard "Lion Heart", his 34 footer yesterday and he was in good spirits. He is sailing very sensibly in his course and weather conditions. I think we have a young rising star to keep our eyes on. A couple of times in the last few days I have been waiting for a phone call from Cape Talk, which never came. On investigating last night I discovered why we were not linking up. Talk about getting lines crossed. The talk radio station is working on local time and I was waiting on GMT time. So Thursday afternoon it is supposed to happen for us in Cape Town and Johanesburg, and I will be able to continue bragging about the best curry in the world that I am enjoying twice a week.
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Skippers log #9
46 34s 165 25w at 08:35 GMT
After watching a beautiful sunrise this morning, I breathed a sigh of relief when the news reached us that Isabelle was safe on Fila with Giovanni. Good for you Giovanni for getting her back from the Southern Ocean. Proof again, that we all depend on each other for our well-being in some way or another. We do not know the details of what happened, but all that matters now is that she is safe. First there were 15 of us in this race, then we were 11 leaving Auckland, now we are 9. Guys, no more drama's please. All we can think of is getting around Cape Horn and out of this Southern Ocean to where we have a better chance of surviving and keeping our boats together. Again we are reminded how small our crafts are, and how big the ocean is. Prudence is necessary. The right amount of speed to get one out of this ocean would be welcome. I wish that I could go double my speed as it would reduce my time down here, and hence reduce the number of storms and potential hazards that I could face. My winds are still light as we go east. I am in no hurry to go to 56 degrees South, yet I am in a hurry to get back to Charleston. The Horn is 3,419 miles away. Gwen is off travelling again around the New Zealand country side, this time alone and with a tent. She has discovered the virtues of camping. Everything here is going smoothly, if not quietly. I like this. I would rather have time to be board, than scared witless by the big winds and unforgiving waves.
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Skippers log #10
46 56s 161 14w at 12:20 GMT 4,700 to Punta del Esta
The winds have picked up a bit to 20 knots. Still very pleasant sailing conditions, but the forecast is not good for the weekend. Some areas will see gusts up to 60 knots. I am tracking very much to the east if I can to stay as far north as possible from the storm center. Having stayed north all this time is a big help. I helmed a bit this morning to pass time and make better progress, reaching speeds up to 14 knots on the surf. It was exhilarating keeping the boat close to a 9 knot average. Unfortunately I did not put the boots on that Ann Hacket from KZ Marine gave me in Auckland, so I have wet feet and will have to turn the heater on tonight to dry my socks. Gwen is having a great time camping, checking in with the Hackets every second day to share her news with me, and for me to let her know how she is doing. I had to hand stitch a patch last night onto a small tear on the old genoa. Both genoas are on the Profurl roller furler and in use simultaneously. Tonight, as a reward for helming, I will have one of Gwen's curries. Otherwise the food from the cans or pastas are very mundane, but I have to eat to keep up my strength. I am feeling tired most of the time, even though I am getting good rest. Tomorrow afternoon, (Thursday) I expect to hook up with Cape Talk and 702 radio networks in South Africa between 4:30 and 5 pm South African time in the slot sponsored by Netcare. Also, congratulations to Rob Kamhoort who had helped me secure the Netcare sponsorship for successfully winning the hand of his lady Lisa on Valentines day. They will be married this year.
