Why English?

Crashing and bangingIn case you’re wondering why this blog is suddenly in English, that is because of our third crew member Tim. He is American and therefore it is easier for his folks back home. We are delighted to have Tim with us. This is not an easy trip. Right at this moment we’re crashing and banging hard to windward in 30 knot winds and that is not counting the gusts. We knew this was in store for us, but it came a bit earlier than expected. No problem, as long as it doesn’t last longer than forecast.

So, this morning at six the three of us were on deck to once again put in the third reef. I mentioned in my previous blog that we have Volvo Ocean Racing sailor Gerd Jan Poortman to thank for the fact that we have a third reef. Gerd Jan would probably love these conditions, jumping from wave top to wave top. People like him are real sailors. We are just travellers. It is on days like today, that we respect the difference. It is thanks to the third reef that we can now maintain our course. The last time Hanneke and I had similar wind and sailing conditions, was in the Gulf of Biscay, when we had the reef in the sail, but no line in it to use it. This time we came better prepared.

Anyway, this is all part of the final leg to New Zealand. We knew we had it coming and if all is well it will last only until tonight. After that the winds are mainly light and we will be running with the wind. A more gentlemanly course. Thanks to the time gained by staying on course today we just might make it to Whangarei before the next front, otherwise the sting will be in the tail.