day 5
October 5, 2024, 10:35 UTC | Day 5
Well, the winds picked up last night and saw us reduce sail to 2 reefs in the main and the staysail, yet FALKEN still flew on, often making 9 knots over the ground. We have been very fortunate that the sea state remains relatively kind, and despite some water across the decks, the hull continues to lap up the conditions and forge ahead towards Lagos. The sky did leak a little last night, yet the temperature on board continues to rise, making for some sweaty crew and making the thought of a shower even more tantalizing. By midday tomorrow, we should pass Lisbon, and then it's just one more corner until a well-earned beer or two. Once again into the night.
- Emily
Mission Control update: FALKEN’s YB tracker decided to go for a swim in the middle of the night, meaning the position on the map has been stuck for the last 24 hours. We will be updating the map manually every 12 hours so don’t worry if they’re not moving for a while! Everyone onboard is loving the passage and having a blast. FALKEN’s ETA to Lagos is early hours of tomorrow morning (UTC).
- Alex
EmilyCaruso
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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!