2252UTC 13deg 22.484S 038deg 13.948w
Sailing
Today's log delivered by the Crazy Canuck, the Canadian representative of this international crew- <<when we awoke it was overcast but the Brazilian sun quickly burned the clouds away and we were left with blue skies. We definitely hit 30 degrees before noon.
We reviewed some safety procedures, cleaned the boat and had an exciting Person Overboard (POB) recovery. It went well but we were able to identify some areas for improvement.
We prepared for the big manoeuvre, it was time to leave the dock and Brazil behind.
Once we were underway spirits soared as we pointed the bow toward the Canary Islands. As I write this we are heading upwind and dealing with all that involves, and working into our first watches.
It is hot, a bit bumpy but we are sailing!!
James Leslie
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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!