The wind blows from the 57º, our heading is 295º, the apparent wind 113º, and “MAPFRE” flies at 22 knots towards the northwest in rather rough seas.
Yesterday we finally entered a windier system. After exiting the Doldrums, we’ve sailed in gusts up to 30 knots under black clouds loaded with water.
We are healing at 33-35º again, which makes for a really uncomfortable life onboard. The seawater temperature is 26ºC and the fresh water we make goes straight into a tank which makes it a bit warmer… and then when the engine is on to load the batteries, it adds a couple more degrees. In the end it’s like drinking lukewarm tea all the time. That being said, it’s better than drinking the almost frozen water of the Pacific Ocean which gives you a headache if you drink it too quickly.
The six boats are sailing mast to mast and positions change all the time. “Abu Dhabi” managed to come back and leave the bottom of the fleet. From one sked to the next they gained 12 miles, placing themselves among the top three. They really can push when they need to and it’s a dangerous boat. They can scratch some good miles in less than six hours.
At night, the temperature dropped below what we have got used to and we pulled our jackets out again. Sail changes have been progressive, and as far as the wind is concerned, we went from the MH0 to the FRO, and from the FRO to the J1. Our 20-knot speed makes us feel we are heading to Newport at full throttle.
Before midday I was cleaning the food cooler I use to cook at the stern when Rafa Trujillo suddenly changed direction to avoid some seaweed. This made me lose control and the cooler slipped out of my hands as I shouted NOOOOOOOO!!!
I really thought this cooler would make it with me around the world. Now we only have one casserole left, the one we use to cook Spaghetti or risotto, and that’ll have to replace the cooler. Frustration appeared on some faces – the cold will kick in again up north, but that’s life and if we have to eat cold meals we’ll eat cold meals for some days.
We won’t let this put us down. The cooler won’t make us win the leg.
#vamosMAPFRE!!!
Francisco Vignale, OBR