Power of One

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!

 

 

Hi everyone, for those of you outside the U.S., yesterday was my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.  It’s a holiday devoid of commercialism and is simply a time where families and friends come together to share a meal, put their political and ideological differences (hopefully) aside and simply give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.   On this Thanksgiving, among many other things, I’m very grateful that Donald is okay and almost through with this crazy adventure!

Here is a bit of correspondence from Donald, starting yesterday morning:

“….I’m exhausted.  A day of big sail changes.  I think I’m getting too old for this 🙂 (Debra: “There is a God!”)  I think I’m going to have a cup of tea and ponder the universe.”

And later that morning, reflecting on Thanksgiving:

“…….on a more basic level, I give thanks for the comfort of the bean bag that my exhausted body can rest on 🙂  I give thanks for the most incredible moon that is lighting up the entire Atlantic with a great warm soft yellow hue.  Too special for words…..”

Yesterday afternoon:

“….my Gribs (downloaded charts) and routings have taken me into a massive hole of no wind.  Barely doing 2 knots. Not in the forecasts at all.  New data is published at 6:15 UTC.  Hopefully some good news then.  Otherwise, all those boats behind could sail right around me.  Not much I can do at this stage except remain positive that the wind filters back.  Going to get some sleep in the meantime.” 

Yesterday evening:

“Really disheartened by wind disappearing.  All that hard work and suffering.  And it’s not like I was gambling.  I was following forecasts!  But that is life.  Not always fair.  And the game is still a long way from over :):):)

And a few minutes later:

“Some  breeze has just came through.  Dropping off again, but something.  Up again, and dying.  Something is happening.  Fingers crossed!!!”

Late last night:

“I think the boat behind me took 45 nm of my lead.  I need wind soon.  At least I got some reasonable sleep.  Holding thumbs for wind like you can’t believe.  As sun rises and the batteries start recharging, I’ll get new Gribs.  Hopefully some good news, though my trust in them is right down.  Sending lots of love from a windless Atlantic.”

This morning:

“Oh, Wow!   Got some wind.  And I’m throwing everything I’ve got at it!”  Gennaker, staysail (managed to fix broken tack) and full main.  The boat behind me has more wind, but I’m gunning it.  He took 50 nm out of me last night while I was flopping around.  He’s had his luck now.  Adding staysail not always ideal, but it’s adding at least 1/2 a knot extra speed in these conditions.  Very proud of my girl.  She’s as agitated as me and just wants to go for it :):)

And last text I’ve received this morning:

“Yeh, Man! 🙂  Wind has veered more to south, so have taken down gennaker/staysail combo and down to solent.  Still maintaining reasonable speed but better VMG and where routing wants me to go.  Should be back to east again later.  Btw: haven’t charged batteries in 3 days.  Fuel cell and sun keeping us going.   

I’m basically beating (upwind) again.  Haha 🙂  But in beautiful sunshine and benign wind and seas.  There is a God!”

Debra:  And once again, I find myself laughing that sailing is life’s perfect metaphor.  In one way or another, we’ve all been in that situation where we’ve been cruising along and then, despite doing everything “right,” we find ourselves in a massive hole.  Everyone is passing us by (especially the Jones’s :))and life simply isn’t fair.  And then, something eventually happens, maybe a friend who calls out of the blue, an unexpected check in the mail, a grandchild or a new pet, to kick us out of that hole and we’re cruising along again and have completely forgotten about the hole we were in.   And just like sailing, when we sometimes land in that hole (because in life, we inevitably will), it’s our attitude and the quiet knowing that the world is a dynamic, constantly changing place, that the wind will eventually lift our sails and the sun will eventually shine again.

Donald, you’re back in business…for now.  Put on your sunglasses, enjoy your capricious wind and let’s see where it ends up taking you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a text forwarded from Donald’s friend, Ian (who helped him with the repairs in La Coruna.)

“… I went into a tired, but harrowing night with some fair sized swells, which is never fun.    Remember our 2015 voyage?  Haha.  Same thing.  The swell direction was awkward for autopilot, which only wants to go in straight line.   The AP simply couldn’t handle it and we must have had about 6 broaches afterwards, always as I was nodding off.   I had a few harsh words to say to the autopilot!  But then the boat eventually settled down, or rather, the sea state changed and I managed to get a couple of hours sleep in.  Our speed is a bit erratic here, nearing a transition to gybe away from the high developing.  But an hour ago, we topped at 19.6 knots, obviously sustained surfing.  I’m glad I’m pulling away (from the two boats closest behind).  I thought they may catch me with all the broaching and poor steering going on.  The decision now is when to change to the A3, the big reacher.  At 155 m2, she would’ve been a bit wild to control in yesterday’s winds, but the winds are scheduled to die a bit and routing is showing reaching conditions for a few days. 

The sun is now out, and I’ve got a pair of shorts on.  Fantastic change!  In the meantime, I’m heading to Guadeloupe as fast as I safely can.”

And I just received another message:

He thinks he’s at a better wind angle that those behind him and “my day’s been good, so I  think I’ll post around 250 nm in the next 24 hours.”

Go Donald!