After a day of light winds we got some breeze this morning and we are reaching west in 15-20 knots of wind sitting on high 7's and early 8's. We've been in cloud most of the time but the sun is just starting to peer through the clouds as we approach the end of the day. The forecast is for the same over the next few days, coming aft and increasing a bit tomorrow before tailing off towards the end of the week.
We are in company with another Danish Elan 434, Frigg, both of us on the northern rhumb line whilst the bulk of the fleet are taking the traditional southern route. We are well placed, leading our division, with Frigg second. The northern route is looking good except for a patch of dead air in our path and we are hopeful enough wind will steer us through it to the steady trades on the other side that will lead us to St Lucia. We are up with much larger boats, but now can't see many as the fleet disperses.
Our fishing expert Adrian had two lines out yesterday in the lighter air, but was not successful in snaring toothy predators, and we'll need to wait for quieter conditions to give it another go. We are eating well and dreaming of fresh tuna for dinner.
We've seen only a few birds, probably petrels hovering and dipping around the boat; yesterday we saw two small whales in the distance
The boat is in good shape and we are all enjoying the sail and company.
From Doug, rigs, Adrian and rob