Yesterday at 0500 we had 147.3 nautical miles to the waypoint at the entrance to the Hydrographers Passage, which we reached at 0502 this morning. Light airs yesterday morning meant for some frustrating hours where not many miles were covered. A radio schedule with Ocean Jasper had been arranged for 1200 to discuss our options as neither yacht wanted to be the first to step down from the challenge by motoring. It had been agreed that the challenge should end at the waypoint, rather than the finish line in Mackay, as the prospect of keeping it up in such light airs was becoming somewhat daunting, especially for Jim who has a haul out booked for Thursday morning! During the radio net it was apparent that a few other boats were beginning to motor as light airs astern affected the remainder of the fleet.
At the 1200 schedule the two Sundeer skippers agreed to hang on until 1800, when they's have another chat, giving us time to alter sail plans if required before night set in for the final miles to the waypoint. By this time Ocean Jasper was off the radar, but we exchanged positions and knew where they were relative to us- not too far away, each of us with almost same distance to run to the finish waypoint. Shortly after 1200 we had another wind shift, and the autopilot protested at the rapid change of course. Sensing the towel might be thrown in at any moment I took the helm and gently coaxed Crazy Horse onto a course where we maintained boat speed, although with the wind in the north east we lost precious miles off the rhumb line, but we persevered, enjoying the gentle motion and sunshine.
From 1300-1400 - 3.3nm, 1400-1500 - 3.8nm, 1500-1600 - 4.6nm, 1600-1700 - 5.3nm, 1700-1800 - 7.3nm. YES! As promised in the weather forecast the wind had built during the afternoon, as could be seen by the development of puffy trade wind clouds, and so it was agreed at 1800 to keep sailing to the waypoint. At 1800 we had 83nm to go, and so the final sprint was on with Ocean Jasper 10 miles to port.
After three and a half days of being 200 meters apart at the last waypoint here we were together again!
The winds continued to build as the evening went on, comfortably achieving hourly runs of 7 or 8 miles under asymmetric spinnaker alone. Shortly before midnight it became apparent that whilst comfortably sailing we would be over-canvassed should the wind build anymore and Bill made the wise call to change sails to full main and jib - more suited for the wind angle to the waypoint. A major sail change downwind at night is not easy - especially hoisting the mainsail, but it was with enthusiasm and efficiency that firstly the spinnaker was dropped, after which we ghosted under bare poles for a minute as we unfurled the jib. Coming up onto the wind to hoist the main was our next task, which as a method not usually practised without motoring was more time consuming than it might have been, but nevertheless completed efficiently and without incident. In all the exercise cost us 20 minutes and probably 3 miles, but Crazy Horse was sailing faster once we'd finished.
When I came back on deck at 0330 ready for my watch it was clear that Ocean Jasper had taken us, as they lay five miles ahead. In the last hour we shaved a mile off their lead but it was Jim, Bob and Maggie who passed the waypoint first, and were waiting in the vicinity when we finished at 0502. It had been a good fun challenge - and amazing we finished so close after 1000 miles of varying conditions. Congratulations Ocean Jasper from all on Crazy Horse!
Before we reached the waypoint we'd picked up the extremely powerful leading lights for a safe entrance to the Hydrographers Passage, and confidently sailed through the Great Barrier Reef to our first turning mark, stomping along on a fine reach at 9 knots to overtake Ocean Jasper who by this time were gently motoring in. The lights were extremely easy to identify, and the leading lights bright enough to easily check whether on track for safe passage. Unfortunately the next leg was turning to the south and into the wind, and so it was with some reluctance that we started the engine, furled the jib, and lowered the mainsail. The end of a cracking sail, even the times we had coaxed the boat through the lighter airs. On the longest leg we'd had two 200+ mile days, and two 150 mile days - not bad for the conditions.
During our time at sea we'd learnt to work as a crew (with me the newcomer), we'd shared many stories, had some interesting discussions, and eaten well. Now we are settled down for the last 100 miles through the Great Barrier Reef and on to Mackay, where we hope to arrive shortly before midnight.
Over, but not yet out!
The Crazy Horse Crew, Bill, Matt and Andrew