With only a few lulls, the
last 48ish hours have been incredible sailing – wind on our beam at 10-15
knots, gennaker up, surfing the waves, flying along at 7-9 knots of boat speed:
exactly what we all came for.
The boat is incredible.
Comfortable, fast but solid, easy to handle.
Will’s skippering style is
perfect – generally serious, a trait you prize in a situation where your life
depends on competent leadership, but relaxed when appropriate. First-mate
Michelle is equally well suited to the voyage: pragmatic and knowledgeable,
packaged in friendly warmth. Simon is splicing and whipping his way to maritime
sainthood. We’ve just waxed philosophy and had a polemic on theft in general
(when is it justified?), and modern-day copyright piracy in particular. The
chemistry on board makes you want to sing “Cumba-yah.” Luckily it hasn’t come
to that.
The best news of all is that
our crewmember Tatjana is feeling better after several days’ seasickness. She
is back to her normal spunky, wisecracking self, is on deck, and has helped
with watches.
We are motoring now, with a
bit more than 24 hours left to Bermuda at this rate. Normally I hate motoring
on a sailboat, but with the spell of glorious sailing that we just had, it
feels fine to power north through the smooth blue rollers. Could be worse.