Day two

Woke in the morning to fairly steady breeze 20kts and choppy. Our Speed over Ground (SOG) approximately 5.o kts.  I came on shift at 8am to 12am. We  managed to execute a very bad take and the Genoa (the big sail in the front) got away from us and the two sheets(ropes) that keep it tight end up in the sea. Rather tricky fetch around the side of the had to be performed with the water pounding into the side.

I am sure to anyone use to sailing on the sea this would have been easy stroll up front of the boat but with one slip or wave to knock you could find yourself overboard, it was quite a rush. Kevin and myself on shift together then had to low the storm jib and this involved another trip into the spray.

Jean, Shaun and Mike are still layed down with the sea sickness and I feel for them. Shaun spent the entire day in the starboard aft corner standing to avoid any unnecessary feelings. I am sure with pitching of the boat his stomach muscles have had the best work out for years. We were trying to get him to  fish off the back but he respectfully declined. 🙂

Food is difficult to make and we have stuck to rolls and open and eat items.

I was back on watch at 8 am to mid night in what was now a gusty 15kts and speeds of 5 to 8 kts the best sailing so far. I eventually finished my watch at 2.30am. Jean who has made the seat in the cockpit his permanent position was not much company as he slept off the sickness. He is battling to go down to his berth as yet.

I am really  enjoying the weather and the sea but I must say that 7 people on a boat does not give you much room.

We hear five boats are out of the race and that one person died. We all send our condolences to yacht…. the family. To our families don’t worry we are fine and concentrating on find more wind so we can catch the yachts ahead!

Speak tomorrow and hopefully we have found better weather but I guess that will be Tuesday though.