Getting closer

July 13, 2010

We are now 396 nm from Maui. The spinnaker run last night under the most intensely bright Milky Way star display was a sheer delight. By morning the winds had lightened and all around us were benign weather cells bringing minute amounts of moisture and occasionally much welcome respite from the now consistently high temperatures. We have changed to a lighter spinnaker and continue to make a presentable 5 – 6 knots in only slightly more wind. Everybody on board can sense a building anticipation of making landfall but you try to let that occupy only the smallest recess of your consciousness since anything can happen at any time and our attention must remain on the immediate task of sailing the boat intelligently and efficiently.

Conversation on board comes easily and the heat down below has eased some of the self-imposed barriers between the two watches. Unless it is absolutely necessary off-watch crew must remain below while the others do their job. Now, with the much warmer weather we pop our heads up through the companion way like neighbours having a chat over the fence. The whole process of throwing strangers together and setting out to do a race this long still seems crazy yet it has worked extraordinarily well. As I wrote some time ago, we all sought common ground and by and large, exercised mutual respect.

One of the things that I believe we will remember the most about this race was the laughter. On watch, our discussions would inevitably take some comic turn which would lead to significant belly laughs and often, especially at night, silence – not an awkward silence but one that comes after riding a good wave of humour that is then appreciated by all individually. We often hear the other crew doing the same thing when we are off watch. If you are laughing a lot you know things are going pretty well.

The ocean swells that were with us for most of the trip abated with the reduction in wind speed. It is possible to see the curvature of the Earth simply from deck level and I understand from the masthead it is even more pronounced. The immediacy of our environment is thought provoking, awe inspiring and, as I wrote earlier will bear seeds of more thought that we will all carry away with us. We are all very lucky to have had this experience as individuals and collectively.

Tonight’s “sched” – the nightly call in by the boats with their lat/long is going to be interesting. We have made up some time against one boat yesterday and we are anxious to see whose strategy – south and ride the trades or west then south to cut the angle, proves to be correct. In any event we look forward to having a drink and swapping stories with everyone regardless of the final outcome.

To all at home from all aboard Turicum, take care and speak to you soon, we hope.

Les on Turicum 74257