‘The Drift’ technique
October 22, 2024, 07:00 Local Time
It’s 7am on—well, I actually have no idea what day it is; such is the nature of offshore sailing. Probably day 3? Yes, that’s right. We woke up on the first morning to an awful swell and no wind, contrasted with yesterday’s sunrise in which we were screaming along west from Stromboli—boat speeds in the consistent teens as we surfed with the A4 up. Now, this morning, the water is glassy and we are perfecting ‘The Drift’ technique (not in the ASA/RYA training guides as of yet).
It’s actually Lisa’s birthday today! Our courageous—slightly mad—up-for-anything power woman who had barely stepped foot on a boat a week and a half ago and now runs the bow like she has been doing it for years. This kind of story is exactly why we do this. Because it’s fulfilling, it’s inspiring, it means something to see people expand their comfort zone, learn something new, and embrace life with a proactive attitude!
So anyway—back to sailing—we have put in an order for wind and we are still pushing 😊
On another note, we have heard stories of various boats who had to retire and send our best to all of them for a speedy recovery, mentally and physically! Especially to our dock neighbours ‘Coco’. That first day was pretty scary.
- Nikki Henderson
To follow the race: download the app ‘YB Races’, add ‘ROLEX Middle Sea Race 2024’ to your races, and look for the boat YAGIZA.
NikkiHenderson
View more passage logs
Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.