 |
2:21 AM Mon 29 Dec 2008 GMT
Over 45 knots was last night's instalment for the boats in the race for second in the ORCV's M2H West Coaster.
First to report issues was the venerable 'Ninety Seven', who had a broken steering cable that they repaired. For anyone who has seen these kinds of conditions, you'll know that going aft into the lazarette in those seas is a journey for the very brave indeed.
Cold, dark,wet and cramped , with the added bonus of being thrown around like some kids ride down very wrong. A sort of jumping castle that you don't control and the landings are nowhere near as soft!
Having recovered from that, they then shredded their main into '67 million pieces', sailing master Noel May reports.
Alas they were not the only ones to do so, it turns out. Further back, the Inglis 37 'Addiction' did the same thing, but Richard McGarvie the skipper says its all good and as the main is not as big, they only did '20 million pieces'.
Richard continues to keep all informed from his new phone, the delight of his new toy keeping him smiling all the way.
Both boats are now continuing under trisail, which are their smaller, storm-based sail that fly behind the mast where the mainsail normally goes, but does not extend anywhere near as far up the mast.
Without the horsepower, both yachts are not making the same kind of pace they would expect. 'Ninety Seven' reports that the boats behind them, 'Spirit of Downunder' and 'Tevake II', are definitely getting bigger. Not what you want when you are in box seat for 2nd!!!
Over on the East, the competition is far fiercer. The leader is still the RP46 'Shamrock' and barring disaster she should be by mid afternoon (having written that I feel terrible and hope I haven't put the hex on them.). Like their cousins over on West, there is a classic ding-dong battle for second going on. 'Shamrock' probably has 28nm over her nearest competitor and some 60nm to go, but she has a group of five there, ready to pounce if they make a mistake.
There is probably just 5nm between 'Ocean Skins', Helsal II', 'Icefire', 'Extasea' and 'Chikara Outlaw' in that order. The front two must be arming the cannons as they are that close.
No doubt all will be glad o get in and join the other boats from all races that are keeping Constitution Dock and Elizabeth Street jumping. Calls from crews arriving at all hours have been going out to friends, which is a good thing. Seems the Kerosene Canaries from the North have brought down a heap of stories with their passengers!
by John Curnow
|
|
