Month: November 2018

Another text from Donald:

“Ja…I must say I’ve been slapped around, which has hindered my progress, but I’m unbowed.  But philosophical nonetheless.  I could’ve got across Bay of Biscay (between France and Spain) without damaging the boat, but I didn’t.  I can’t pop round the corner and buy masthead units for the wind autopilot, nor buy a new A2.  I just have to make the most of what I’ve got and accept what I can’t control.  I’m good.  I’m accepting.  And I can’t wait to get in.  This is not fun in light airs and hot sun. :)”

And a few minutes later:

“….and Sweetie, this party isn’t over.  There are still a number of twists and turns to come, especially sailing around the lee of Guadeloupe! 🙂 🙂

That’s the spirit, Donald!

Oh Boy, as if my nerves can handle any more 🙂  The boat behind Donald (#24) is only 56 nm behind him at this point.  I know it sounds like 23rd or 24th place, who cares??? But this is a big race and if, like many of you, have followed the race all the way, for Donald to lose the position he’s maintained for days on end, especially after all that hard work with no wind autopilot, would be like the Sharks losing to the All Blacks in the final minute!  Here’s the latest:

“…..Went to sleep with cloudless sky.  Two hours later, it was overcast and threatening, so started putting reef in, but not before squall hit.  It wasn’t such a bad one, but enough to put us in a nasty broach and shred the A2.  I have socked it for time being and will put up the A3 at daybreak, about an hour away.  Not the spinnaker I need but better than nothing!  #24’s lucky day!  The mainsail retainer, which acts as a vang also snapped at a weak point, but that should be easier to resolve.  Now I’ve got the main sail slatting around.  Who said solo sailing is fun? 

I’m so looking forward to getting to Guadeloupe and seeing you.  This is getting a bit old now.  How nice it would be for the wind to switch and have a nice reach to the finish.  Roughly two days to go.

Have a good day of traveling (I’m leaving today for Guadeloupe to be there for the finish) and I hope you can now relax (Hah!).  Your loving and adoring and somewhat disconsolate (for the time being) husband. “

So, we’ll see if Donald can hold his position to the end.  One thing about solo sailing is everybody will encounter a problem now and then, so you never know how this will turn out!

Here’s correspondence since yesterday evening:

Last night (discussing the boat #24 behind him, which has been steadily gaining on him and has a chance of taking him at the very end):

“…..had terrible winds today and he’s obviously got something better.  There’s a fundamental shift taking place that forecasts haven’t picked up.  I’m busy downloading now to see if any changes.  He caught up a lot, but I’m not too phased.  My turn next :)”

And later:

“….wind doing weird things, but #24 obviously had it really good.  I’m trying to analyze it.  Please send me data as often as you can.  I have a hunch his luck won’t last much longer, but need confirmation.”

And an hour later after more data:

“…hmmmm.  Can’t tell what’s going on.  He’s storming up.  And I just don’t have wind to do that….all a bit strange.  I desperately need some rest after today.  Just gybed and speed has improved, but not great.”

And this morning:

“…. Yes, yesterday was a bad day.  Not enough wind and a lumpy sea state made life impossible for the autopilot (the compass one).  And then, spending many hours under that beating sun really drained me.  Hence spent the night with gennaker up, which is a far cry from the big A2 designed for downwind sailing.  Didn’t want to make a change during the night, and frankly, didn’t have the energy.  So, as it started getting lighter this morning, I put the A2 up hoping the higher wind and different sea state would work better for autopilot and it has.  Phew.  We are now sailing deeper and faster so #24 won’t find it as easy chasing.  And I’m going to limit time on deck as much as possible… Trying to get there ASAP.”

And I just received another text:

“…my numbers don’t look quite right, but I think these trackers do strange things sometimes.  Main thing is that he’s still 120 nm behind.  I’m hoping this sail change continues to keep him at bay.  After a while, it becomes very difficult to make up 120 nm in remaining distance.  I have been lying around cowered on top of the sails in a draught from the open forward hatch.  Coolest part of the boat and got some zzz’s in too.  Yay.  So my health is improving.  So proud of AP!!! And my Girl!

And after another update on the data:

“….The tracker data is so wrong.  So I hope he is actually that far behind…”

So, it’s a race to the end.  I’m still amazed that Donald’s been able to hold his position for the past 2,000 nm or so without his wind autopilot, solo sailing this race the old fashioned way.  We’ll see if he can hang tight for the next 400 nm.  #24 is 120 nm behind based on the tracker, but has gained almost 50 nm in the past 24 hours.  And now that he’s approaching Guadeloupe and his AIS detection system isn’t working (was knocked out in the same storm that took out the wind autopilot a few weeks back), there’s always a chance of a collision.  It continues to be a nail biter!

First of all, this article was just published on the South Africa Sailing website.  It’s a great summary of Donald and the race and well worth a read.

http://sailing.co.za/route-du-rhum-donald-alexander-romping-towards-the-finish/

Donald has now under 600 nm to go and it looks like if he can continue to find wind, he’ll maintain his position.  He’s gone a great job of that so far and it looks like those behind might have the same issue, so we’ll see…  Here’s his text from this morning:

“…beautiful sunrise here but not too much wind.  Thanks so much for the data.  Not sure when you sent it but gave me a big boost to know I was still well ahead despite my shortage of wind.  It looks patchy getting in, but either way, it is now less than 600 nm.  The big issue is when the chasers gybe onto starboard (turn right) towards Guadeloupe.  I’m pondering whether to change to A3.  Could flop around in these light airs.  And, yes, so ready to finish.  Really is getting a bit tedious now… :)”

And a few hours later:

“….doing my best, but looks like light winds to the finish.  Groan.  But pleased to see chasers have no better.  Hopefully daytime arrival on the 30th. “

Donald is cooking along now!!!  He remains in 23rd place and has been extending the gap from those behind him.   He has 763 nautical miles to go and has put in just under 250 nm in the past 24 hours.  It looks like just a few days now and he’ll be in Guadeloupe!  Here are his words from this morning:

“…. just woke to boat surfing along all on her own 🙂  Going back to sleep.  I feel drugged. 🙂 “

And later:

“Smoking, Baby!  Pulled 240 nm in 24 hours.  Going to slow her down a bit.  Sorry, hands full.

And finally:

“… I’m back after a late (was a busy morning!), but big breakfast of oatmeal followed by Herb Mushroom Risotto.  I’m struggling to remain excited about freeze dried food.  The Mushroom Risotto and the Thai Curry are two that I still relish.  The Indian Vegetable Korma and Pad Thai, I have to eat with long teeth. 🙂 Been a high speed morning, a little bit on the edge, surfing up to 20.5 knots.  Great fun, but I’m mindful that I still have 800 nm to go with a reasonable margin between me and next boats, and to break her now would be tragic.  I was tapping off anyway with a reef, but the wind has now dropped off a bit and so has speed.  But wonderful morning sailing! “

“Bruce has just sent report that I’m now 183 nm ahead (of next closest boat).  A recent gain of 33 nm, which is encouraging.  If the chasers did that to me, I’d be doing a bit of head scratching 🙂 Anyway, I’m wilting now and boat is stable, so going to snooze…” 

So…in a few days time, he’ll be onshore and after over three weeks solo on the Atlantic, able to get a decent meal and a good night’s sleep!  It looks like he’ll be in on the 29th, fingers crossed!

Donald is now just shy of 900 nautical miles away and is holding his own in front in the wave of boats that, like him, had to detour to port for repairs or decided to sit out the severe back to back storms at the beginning of the race.  He’s in 23rd place, which is remarkable given his 5 day setback to fix his hull and the fact that he’s been sailing without his wind autopilot.  The forecast predicts he’ll be in on the 30th… I can’t wait!

Yesterday evening:

“…Just finished my freeze dried vegan Thai Curry in the cockpit beneath the most amazing rising full moon.  There is not a cloud in the sky and a pleasant 12-15 knot breeze, warm enough to stay on deck in shorts and an open necked shirt.  And so much light that I can see all the details of the sails, despite them being black, without the help of my head lamp.  The nights are long out here, at least 12 hours and night sailing has never been my favorite, but with this moon, it’s almost better than the day.  And I had my first live flying fish rescue over dinner, clear evidence I’m getting closer to the end. 🙂  And there is more sargasso weed around, another sure sign that the Caribbean is getting closer.  The wind is due to shift in a few hours, so going to set my alarm and see if I can get a nap in….”

And this morning:

“…interesting, but not, snippets of information: my gas cannister has finished only this morning.  Bloody good going.  And this morning was first time I charged batteries with engine in 4 days, normally twice per day.  And checked my water sac this morning and have plenty.  So have excess of key supplies.  Nice sense of comfort. :)”

So, he’s happy that he’s holding his own and has enough provisions to see him through to the end.  But, based on other conversations with him, he’s really ready to get there!