St. George’s, Bermuda
The crew is wrapping up their final moments in St. George’s, Bermuda. This has been my first time traveling outside of America. My time here has been overwhelmingly positive, from the 59º North Crew to the locals here in Bermuda. Community is deeply rooted in the culture of Bermuda, and 59º North Sailing holds the same values. I have the pleasure of working with crew members who have been sailing with 59º North before or learned about the organization through other sailors. The sailing community is small, but I have never seen an organization that is so well known and so highly praised by others. This should not come as a surprise if you have the opportunity to meet the Captains, Mates, and Crew who have worked with 59º North Sailing—they are extraordinary people.
As I am writing this, we are casting off the dock lines and heading to the fueling dock before we make our way to the Azores. Though the wind looks light, I have no doubt this trip will be memorable. The crew has been working tirelessly and has remained in good spirits in the face of the calm weather. I think during times like this we need to remember that though the minutes feel long, the days are short. I will be soaking up every minute I am here, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead.
- Athena | 59º North Apprentice
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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!