Saturday 2nd December
Fishing Spree
We have had a hand line out the stern of the boat for the last couple of days. On the first day of using it, and whilst trying to untangle a birds nest, we caught a Dorado. Most on board labelled it a fluke, questioning the eye sight of the fish etc. and saying it would never happen again. Anyway, we all enjoyed a tasty morsel, if not an entire supper.
Roll on Friday, the 3 optimists on board were still fishing, the doubters were still doubting, when a Dorado the size of the tender was ensnared
Fishing Heaven
Our three optimistic fishermen, Fc, Tomasz and Tony have suffered many barbed jibes about their fishing prowess. The first Dorado landed was thought a fluke and dismissed as such, but undeterred they persevered and landed his twin brother yesterday. A lovely 4kg specimen that was slow roasted with lemon and onion. There was a discussion on board as to whether we were now fishing sustainably anymore! We are now proud to declare ourselves a wild organic Atlantic hand caught sustainably fished boat.
Dealing with the catch has created some interesting solutions. Yesterdays’ attempt created a scene from the Texas Chainsaw massacre in the cockpit, frenzied activity with light weight winch and then a boat knife used liberally …..and we were still cleaning up when dinner was served !
Today’s offering from the intrepid trio was a 5kg giant mackerel, a fine specimen landed with skill and calm. Measuring over 4 foot in length, a true monster!! This time Tomasz asked for the heavyweight Harken winch, and what an educated choice! Two smart blows with our newly favoured impromptu priest, and the final insult with the ships knife and a humane bloodless end was delivered. We are now happy to add ‘humanely killed’ to our vessels branded food. The only choice now is how to cook it!!! Roll on dinner.
Tony
After doing pretty well over the last two weeks keeping Challenger 3 in slivers of wind and out of the wind holes which could be avoided, I slipped up yesterday and we spent six hours on a Westerly gybe, making good progress to the finish line, when the better winds were to be had further South. Challenger 2 who have been snapping at our heels since the start made no such mistake, and while we floundered and crept forward at an uncomfortable 5 knots they sped past doing 8. The crew woke up this morning with us having relinquished our slender 6 mile lead, and we were now 27 miles behind.
At first light before the sun was up, we re-launched our spinnaker and crept our way South South West towards the stronger winds. When we finally reached them at about midday, the boat came alive and just a three knot difference in wind, gave us a much appreciated two extra knots of boat speed. The chase is on.
We held the kite into the early hours of darkness, when gathering black clouds either side of us got the better of my nerves and we finally dropped it and polled out our Yankee 1 headsail again, set for any night time squalls. As it has transpired, so far there have been none, but the more stable downwind platform has helped with the helming at night and we have been making steady progress. Tomorrow at first light again, we will be hoisting the spinnaker and hopefully continue to reel in our friendly but competitive rivals, Challenger 2.
All the while both of us have one eye trained on the other 72 foot Challenger yacht in the race, Challenger 4 who are still only tens of miles behind and who could easily catch both of us in these lightish and fickle winds.
Next week will be another test of patience, resolve, and perseverance as the patchy but steady breeze we are currently enjoying eases off and we will again be trying to coax these 47 ton steel beasts of boats towards St Lucia at a jogging pace. Lets hope the forecast improves a bit, just a little bit will be fine.
Ricky (Skipper, Challenger 3)
03/12/2016
Challenger 3 continues to plough through the deep Atlantic as her crew get on with the daily routines to keep boat, mind and body operating towards the sands of St Lucia.
Yesterday we had a nice kite run from sun up to just after sundown. Back in my happy place, I monkeyed up the fore-guy to spike the spinnaker under the spotlight of a bright slither of a moon and a blanket of stars. Yankee 1 poled out kept our speed up through the evening and into a creeping but unimpressive sunrise.
Crew morale ranges from excited people, fully engrossed in the experience that outweighs there expectations to those who long to be on land with rum in hand. Others enjoy the simple lifestyle aboard, gaze out to sea and dream of a never ending voyage “can we skip St Lucia and just keep going”.
Ricky and I are focussed on the racing aspect and trying to balance the aspirations and expectations of a varied crew. Never the less everyone on board is pleasant and very supportive of each other.
It looks like the winds may be due to drop, and so, a very different experience from our 14 day passage last year on mainly a spinnaker run. Variety is the spice of life!
Hugs to Mum, Dad, Kelsey and Nans J xxxxx
Kirstie Mate Ch 3
Please visit this link on First Class Sailing website for a more detailed blog https://www.firstclasssailing.com/blog/category/arc/
Ricky Chalmers
Skipper
Challenger 3