Day 1
What a first 24 hours run for FALKEN and her crew! We can see the skyline of Miami as I write this, which means that, with the help of the Gulf Stream, FALKEN has sailed over 214 nm upwind in 24 hours—pretty impressive! Last night was a tough one as we found ourselves battling with a sea state produced from wind against the current. It was choppy, windy, and very uncomfortable, but FALKEN and her crew managed to punch through it like champs.
Today started with more of the same, but the wind has been calming down, and now we find ourselves with a beautiful day, sailing along at 10-11 knots as everyone starts to get their sea legs. The weather is looking favorable for us, as it should start veering to the south between tonight and tomorrow, meaning we will be able to ease the sails, go quicker, and be even more comfortable.
Weather-wise, it looks like we're going to have to take the long route around pretty settled high pressure, but the weather router is indicating a pretty epic sail!
- Alex
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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.