00°10’1N, 089°11.2’W
Tuesday, 25th of March, 00°10’1N 089°11.2’W, 08:05 Local Time, 13:05 UTC
A renaissance painting to the east; pink boobies on the pulpit fighting for the best position; layers of fluffy white clouds with dark purple bottoms dumping rain on the horizon, all the while flashing silent lightning fireworks. This epic, dramatic sunrise has been served to the lucky crew on deck. A few moments ago, a flock of frigates in vee formation soared overhead, welcoming us to the equator.
For the past few days, the weather forecast has been: no wind, not now, not in a few hours, not in a few days, not ever on this passage. To our delight, we have been graced with minutes, hours, days of excellent wind and breezes. Every chance we get, we unleash that Yankee, grinding the sheets, easing the furling line, adjusting the main—even if it means two minutes later we have to roll it all back in because the wind has flatlined. We do it for the blissful moment of silence that comes when Diesel shuts up, and Falken, ever hungry for speed, leaps to attention, grabbing onto any wisp of air. We have asked her politely to slow down, but this boat simply cannot sit still. She is beautiful and majestic, slicing through this sea with grace and glamour, strength and poise.
Thank you, dear FALKEN, for keeping us safe, moving at warp speed, yet staying put while we splashed around in a location that no human has ever swum in before. Yesterday, while Alex composed the entire crew for a gybe and consequent reefing, FALKEN waited patiently, immediately soaring into action when we fell into the cockpit panting, sweating, arms shaking, pleased with the team effort.
FALKEN is obviously delighted to explore the Pacific Ocean, and this first leg is just the beginning of an epic adventure. I feel so lucky to be here.
- Libby Haslam | FALKEN Crew
P.S. If you are reading this blog, please write some comments in the section below and we’ll send it over to the crew to read. I am sure they will love it :)
- Mia & Andy (shore support on Leg 5, Panama to Galapagos)
FALKENCrew
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!