February 22, Day 14 | Atlantic Crossing Update
Out here in the vast blue, the ocean has been eerily still—so still, in fact, that we’ve been motoring for yet another day. The sails hang limp, waiting for the wind to return, while the hum of the engine fills the void. In the meantime, life aboard Adrienne II continues in its own rhythm. The crew has settled into the routine of ocean passage—washing clothes, showering, squeezing in workouts on the aft deck, and turning mealtime into an art form with increasingly gourmet creations. Books are being devoured, music drifts through the air, and moments of quiet reflection come naturally in this endless seascape.
Yesterday, we had an unexpected visitor—a Bermuda Longtail, clearly exhausted, trying to rest atop our mast. Unfortunately, our windex thwarted its landing attempt, and it was forced to find another perch. The encounter was a stark reminder of how remote we are, yet still connected to the natural world in the most unexpected ways.
With about 670 nautical miles left to go, we’re gearing up for the final stretch, hoping for a breeze to carry us home.
- Lars Vegard Guttormsen, Crew
crew@59-north.com
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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!