Umiko - Blog 9 6.12.19

Dear Umiko Fans!
6.12.18 Blog 9
24 hr run 255 nm
DTD 127.5 nm
Dear Umiko Fans!

Hopefully this will be the last blog before we get in. All of us here want to wish “Second Wind” good luck. A whale strike is terribly unluckily. We have seen the awesome beasts very close to the yacht on this crossing but it is very rare that they come into contact with you. We hope that they are able to repair any damage done and continue to have a safe crossing.

I would also like to take a moment to spare a thought for a good friend Susie Goodall. I found out last night that her Rustler 36 DHL Starlight had been pitch poled as she made progress towards Cape Horn. It seems that MRCC Chile has implemented a rescue plan and she is in typical good spirits despite being battered and bruised. As she waits for rescue my thoughts are with her.

As we push on for the last 150nm these incidents are a reminder to myself and the crew that we need to remain aler and vigilant right to the end the sea can be a cruel mistress and deserves our respect right until the end.

The wind has been fickle over the last 24hrs as can be seen in our decreasing 24hr runs. We have just put in what will be one of our last gybes with us expecting to get into St Lucia during the night. Thoughts have turned to land and everyone is looking forward to the finish and the welcome ahead.

Sean and I made a big fry up this morning including baked beans on toast, bacon and scrambled eggs. It went down a treat. It is pesto pasta for lunch!

I need to put out an official retraction. Apparently, the French were not on watch during the baking of the Victoria sponge cake so are not responsible for the heel angle…


“Fall seven times and stand up eight."
Japanese Proverb

Olly Out…