Epic Downwind!
March 22, 2025 | Epic Downwind and Orcas!
The first 24 hours in the Pacific have been absolutely magic. Last night was one for epic sailing. FALKEN powered along at 15+ knots in 35 knot winds, surfing down some steep waves as we lost sight of Panama in our stern. As the night passed, the breeze eased off and we were able to shake out our 2 reefs and go back to full sails by sunrise.
By 8am we had our big pink spinnaker flying and managed to keep it all the way until the afternoon when the breeze died off and our iron sail (aka the engine) made an entrance for a few hours. Some of the highlights of today include sighting a pod of Orcas about 5 boat lengths from us, spotting the Southern Cross and the North Star in the same sky, and the bioluminescent water that makes us feel like we’re floating in space.
Right now we’ve got the engine back on after drifting for a couple of hours taking in the starry skies. As we move further south, the weather is becoming a bit more unpredictable and with the ITCZ in sight we are expecting some thunderstorms and light winds in the next couple of days.
Everyone is well onboard and we’re all in a state of “drift,” lost in all of the magic surrounding us.
Love to all—Alex, FALKEN Skipper
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)
laline96@gmail.com
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People Get Ready!
The last three days have been an intense (and intensely hot) period of discovery, practice, and planning. Because Adrienne II is not a 59N boat, there's been some extra setup and coordination needed including rigging all the sails that were out for repairs before we arrived. Its been a blast working alongside the 59N team getting to help them work things out on a less familiar boat in real time. Tomorrow morning we'll run through our Person Over Board training as the final pre-departure task, cast off and head out. Can't know all that it will be, but its going to be a great adventure out in the vast world with some pretty fantastic people.
Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
Day Two Delights
The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. The afternoon has been gorgeous, cruising along at 5-6 kts, close hauled on a port tack in a gentle breeze, Catalina Island in the distance on our starboard side, and everyone is happy.