Umiko - UMIKO Blog 4 Day 4 Flying Fish Attack!

Dear Umiko fans!
24Hr run 292nm

Welcome to blog 4 Day 4… Or is it day 5? We are at that stage where land based concepts of time and place are disappearing as the routine of “Watch Life” takes over.

Lots has been occurring! Last night I was coaching Richard through nigh time helimg with a kite up. The moon rise has been getting later and later as the moon wanes, this along with some unfortunately placed cloud meant that there was no horizon and no reference point. As I was in the process of giving some instruction I got hit in the face with a flying fish. I don’t think this was any normal flying fish I think this was a hybrid that had bread with a salmon because it knocked me clean off my feat and onto the deck. I was in a lot of pain and some profound words may have slipped out my mouth. Credit where it is due Richard did a cracking job on the helm and kept the good ship UMIKO on the strait and narrow.

I also got the boat speed record of 19.3 knots knocking Rosco off the top spot… I am sure the crown will get taken from me in due course.

GHANDI (Our A4) kite has been doing us proud and we have been flying him since the 26th. Stepanie doing one of his daily rig inspections reported that the port kite halyard is showing some signs of wear so the stbd halyard is now doing most of the work. We will look at it tomorrow and end to end the port halyard if required.

The weather so far on this crossing has been fantastic with moderate trade winds pushing us consistently towards our destination. We broke the the 2000nm DTD and the miles keep falling as we make progress west. It would be nice if the wind went a little more northerly which would enable us to lay St Lucia! Alas I don’t think it will be that easy.

We have broken into a nice rhythm of vessel life. Our three watch system making sure that everyone is well rested.
This trip has been great for me to get to know what is to me a relatively new boat. I am very much looking forward to the Caribbean season on her and future oceanic travels. The new Sat Comms system is obviously working well!

With regards to our position in the fleet we are happy where we are. If the wind gets a bit of north in it could work out a real advantage for us with “The Kid” and “G2” having put so much southing in. There are a few boats in the fleet that I am attached to including “Albatross” a challenge 67 that I did my YM Ocean on and skippered extensively. There is also “Skylark” a Clipper 60 that I have sailed extensively before it joined the Rubicon 3 fleet.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."
Henry David Thoreau

Olly OUT