Crazy Horse - Sundeer Challenge - Day 3

Just off my morning watch (0400-0800) after a fun four hours as Ocean Jasper
and Crazy Horse converged on the first waypoint of the course. During
yesterday OJ gave up her windward advantage to close our position as we
approached the first waypoint. From being a good eight miles upwind OJ gybed
to close the route rhumb line, hoisting their Parasailor for a while; once
within two miles they gybed back and reverted to sailing with their
asymetric spinnaker. With lighter than hoped for winds we enjoyed sailing
along in company in the calm conditions, speeds dropping as low as five
knots at times. As dusk fell the winds increased slightly but it was not
until 2200 that we were called on deck to dowse the asymetric spinnaker
which had been flying continuously for 32 hours. The other deciding factor
was the change of course we would have at the waypoint which would bring us
closer to the wind, on a course not suitable for the spinnaker. And so after
a swiftly expedited douse and drop of the spinnaker it was back to headsail
and full main, a good balanced sail plan that kept us moving well through
the night.

As I came on watch we had less than 10 miles to the waypoint (inserted in
the course by rally control to keep rally yachts well clear of a reef) and
Ocean Jasper was within a mile slightly ahead and to windward. What followed
was an exciting hour as in the dark the two yachts converged on an imaginary
point ahead. We had already agreed that we should pass within a mile of the
point, rather than both head for it and risk collision! Our distances closed
until at one point we were within 200 yards - each of us knowing there was
only person on watch as we vied for poll position to be first round. At one
point I was tempted to harden up (come closer to the wind) and dip under
their stern to gain the windward advantage, but without skipper Bill awake
and on deck I decided against the idea as we would have passed very close in
picth black. As it was we were playing phsycological warfare as each yacht
took it in turn to shine their torch (flashlight) at their sails to check
for trim. As we approached the longditude of the waypoint it was OJ who
passed it first, Crazy Horse 3 minutes behind, but at only 729 yards
distant - the closest!

After changing course shortly after 0500 we continued to close OJ, but then
as the winds shifted whilst settling into our new course Jim trimmed better
sooner and started to pull away. I had the mainsail too flat, and it wasn't
until Bill came on deck that we got the right twist to give us more drive on
that particular point of sail. Towards the end of the watch we noticed OJ
reefing her mainsail, as the wind had been steadily building, and noticed
they had hoisted their stayasail which was giving them more drive close on
the wind. We considered our options. But on hearing via the radio that the
reason for their reef was a broken vang (which holds the main boom down) we
decided not to hoist the staysail and stick with full main. Ocean Jasper is
now a few miles away to winward and slightly astern. Whilst there for a good
reason rounding the imaginary waypoint it had been a lot of fun, and added
some interest to the leg, so much so that I am going to reconsider the
suggestion (by my then boss Sir Chay Blyth) that we should have some
waypoints for the racing division on the course for the ARC from Gran
Canaria to Saint Lucia!

Life onboard continues, with Matt performimg exceptionally well in the
galley (although todays rougher sea state might make it harder). Our mussels
in an onion and tomato sauce made a great entree, before our main course of
mahimahi marinated in coconut milk, served with cous cous. And that was just
lunch! For dinner we had freshly baked corn bread (served smeared with
butter and honey - to die for) and a chicken bake topped with "Stove Top"
(stuffing). It was amazing - and the good news is we have enough left for
lunch today. Our breakfasts have continued on the healthy side with Bill and
I enjoying oatmeal today (with apple raisans and cinnamon) whilst Matt
slept. (And no I didn't wake him - but with his agreement!).

Bill has a pump to fix today if we are going to be able to keep running the
fridge and freezer, although now the freezer is almost empty (in
preparation for our arrival in Australia) it's not as critical. Let's hope
it's an easy fix!

In the meantime we are getting used to life at 15 degress, in slightly
choppier seas. But at least we are in the lead again - for now anyway!

All the best from the Crazy Horse crew (especially from Bill to Rosemary),
Bill Matt and Andrew