The ARC 2013 fleet have been at sea for three days now and the seminars, parties and preparations life cycle of Las Palmas has been replaced by surfing down waves, dolphin watching and cooking at an angle of 45 degrees. Logs received from the boats at sea so far keenly detail the joy of Atlantic sailing as the majority of the fleet make their way south to pick up the trade winds to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia.
Matt on Lancelot II summed up his first days at sea writing, 'I've learned that dolphins are amazing creatures, most especially for their endless capacity to make us human beings smile and laugh every time they are near. The waves of joy were palpable on deck this morning as they came to play in the boat's waves while the sun crested the horizon.
'I've learned that sailors are also amazing creatures with a sleep/wake cycle that requires super-human determination and concentration. We take turns being up for 3 hours and resting for 3 hours throughout the entire night while we sail. We will maintain this routine for two weeks to come."
Settling into a watch cycle during the first few days is often challenging, but many crews have taken it in their stride and prepared schedules using advice gleamed in Las Palmas from seminars and other crews. The SSB-Radio net has been working well to continue to develop the friendships born during the pre-departure programme.
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The Watch Schedule on Blue Dolphin - Coloring in done by Kathi, aged 8yrs,on Starship
There has also been plenty of wildlife spotting across the fleet so far, with reports of pods of playful dolphins entertaining crews and orca, pilot and humpback whales causing a few close encounters. Many crews have been testing out their fishing gear; Swan Valhalla has already had some success landing a 15 pound tuna, and fishing guru Mike Gahan on Tamsel was first to send in a picture of his catch of the day - just four hours out of Las Palmas!
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First fish caught by Mike Gahan on Tamsel
Skippers and tacticians of boats in the IRC Racing Division are continuing to study the developing weather and wind patterns ahead. The larger boats, including Volvo 70 Monster Project, Knierim 65 Caro and Nauta 78 Idea of London have opted for a longer, northern route, hoping to pick up stronger winds, whilst others have headed South to try and catch the elusive trade winds on the rhumb line course. Time will tell who has made the best call ñ Ross Appleby, of Oyster Lightwave 48, Scarlet Oyster was hedging his bets, comparing the tactical calls to a game of snakes and ladders, as the leader board positions continue to change.
Now one week in to leg two of their voyage, the ARC+ fleet are continuing to make good progress towards Saint Lucia; hopefully a sign of things to come for ARC boats in the second start. Experiencing some lighter winds today, the crew on La Rochelle seemed very comfortable on board, reporting, "Everyone has caught up on sleep, made heaps of water, washed the boat, got a suntan, and did laundry - just as if we were in the Med!" They even had time for a mid-Atlantic swim!
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La Rochelle of the ARC+ fleet enjoying a mid-Atlantic swim
Follow the fleet progress using the YellowBrick Tracker.