"Why do we do this?" Said Peter to me in the dead
of night as Free Spirit crashed her way through the mighty waves of the Atlantic
Ocean. ??? ...... Just then another huge wave smashed over us drenching him from
head to toe!!!
This was our 8 to midnight watch. It was pitch
black, no moon. We could see stars and the lights of other boats in the fleet at
various points around us and we were gradually catching up to the boats in front
of us. Free Spirit was going well - 8 knots + frequently showing against wind
speeds between 17 and 23 knots.
This gave us heart after our rather slow start
which put us very near the back of the 50 something boats starting out from
Nanny Cay for Bermuda. Why was this? You might ask. Well it was ecause we had a
lot of faffing about with the sails at the start. Well, you know this is Carole
speak. The boys will tell you all about the technicalities of this.
Log authored by Carole
Not so many technical details from me - rather
more of the same. However, after crossing the start line in good order we were
in running down the wind in very light winds and I made the injudicious
decision to fly the Parasailor (spinnaker) in order to gain some advantage.
Let's just say we were inadequately prepared and things did not go quite to
plan!
The first 2 days have been challenging! Some
technical issues at the start put us at the back of the field as we cleared
Joost van Dyke, the most northerly of the Virgin Islands, for the open sea. And
the Atlantic Ocean was not in good humour. Something out there seemed
to have upset her. She threw up angry turbulent waves in all directions as
if to rid herself of the added irritation of the boats scouring her surface.Free
Spirit took this in her stride and with 20 knots of wind on the beam ploughed
on scattering the waves before her at an average speed in excess
of 8 knots. Her crew did not fare so well. Michael particularly has had a
miserable couple of days. Yesterday must have been one of the worst ever
for him. Fearing he might become critically dehydrated I began to unearth
the enema set from the emergency grab bag thinking to replace into his
nether end the fluid spewing from the front end. Fortunately the
threat of this indignity seems to have been sufficient and this morning
after a calmer night with reduced canvass and slightly altered course he is much
better and, as I write, is helming Free Spirit. With the notable exception
of Carole, who has an iron stomach, everyone has suffered to some degree from
the effects of Mal de Mer and sleeplessness. However, the dawn has brought a
brighter day with less turbulent seas and fair winds and we continue to
make good speed due north towards Bermuda in a perceptively happier
mood.
Log authored by Peter.