TRADE WINDS AND FLYING FISH
Wed 2 October 2019
'Hot out here, both on deck and below. Passed between Africa and the Canaries about 2 days ago. Now passing the Cape Verde group of islands. With the wind behind us, truly in the Trade Winds, all our sailing is with the spinnaker up. It has to be constantly trimmed to maximise performance. We take it in 30 minute stints as concentration is important. Night times are cooler and a welcome relief from the searing heat. We are constantly being visited by migratory birds that have been blown off course. The poor things land and wander round the deck, but sadly their journeys are over and eventually they are returned to the sea. More of a nuisance at night are flying fish. The first you know is they've hit you,. They smell and are not good to eat, so are thrown back."
Read more...
CELEBRATING 2nd PLACE
Wed 2 October 2019
After the 'interesting' weather off Cap Finistère (Dare to Lead's Skipper Guy Waites' choice of word!) the crew enjoy some R&R in marina before departing on the next race leg, writes David Gateley:
Read more...
PORTIMÃO, Portugal
Wed 2 October 2019
Nothing could have prepared us for the gale force winds we have just experienced over the last 5 days. We beat upwind with tide against us and though the skipper felt the conditions weren't too bad, none of us had sailed in such conditions before. The experience was all the more exciting because we were racing with much sail up.
Read more...
CLIPPER RACE - THE START
Wed 2 October 2019
Leaving ceremony: lots of excitement at St Katharine Docks. Good weather shone on us as we all left the docks to a fanfare of music and thousands of waving supporters. The Clipper fleet passed under Tower Bridge and then processed down the River Thames to Southend. Supporters in multiple boats followed us down the river circling around us as we went. A very happy send off for us all. At the Thames Barrier the supporter's boats turned round and we waved our last goodbye.
Read more...
