Day 11
June 5, 2024 | 13:30 UTC
Yesterday at 1800, exactly as forecast, the wind filled in from the NE. We put Falken on a port tack, unfurled the jib, stopped the engine, and sailed in a gentle breeze on a close-hauled course, dead on course to a waypoint a few miles south of the Capelinhos lighthouse on the westernmost point of Faial. The sky cleared just before darkness fell, and the crew had a final night to steer by the stars. Falken slipped along silently on an inky ocean, and we slowly caught up with the last few boats of the ARC Europe who had left Bermuda four days before us.
By the time the sun came over the horizon, Faial was in sight and we had passed several of the ARC yachts. Behind Faial, the towering volcano of Pico dominated the background—a truly magnificent sight after almost 2000nm at sea. As we rounded the island to the south, the wind died, only to come back with full velocity as we entered the channel between the two islands. We dropped the mainsail just outside the busy harbor and made our way in. With the whole ARC fleet present, there was no pontoon space, nor was there barely any space behind the protected breakwater. With no other option, we anchored near the harbor entrance in about 10m depth. With a fresh to strong breeze and a slight swell running directly into the harbor, we paid out 55 meters of chain plus the snubber.
With Falken sitting securely at anchor, we relaxed in the cockpit with a glass of Prosecco and celebrated a successful voyage. Eleven days at sea and 1989nm sailed.
- Chris
ChrisKobusch
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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!