Sal's Ocean Globe Race Analysis: This leg has been a lottery!
The sailors taking part in the Ocean Globe Race hoping for adrenaline fuelled drama and excitement are going to be extremely disappointed by this leg so far.
It has been a lottery. The boats gathered weather information for the first week before they left, then into the second week they were back to the scant information available, none of which was particularly relevant as there was no distinct weather patterns to follow.
Pen Duick VI and L’Esprit d’ Equipe are doing well having come up the East of the course and have stretched out a lead for the time being. Maiden is next, leading the main pack. All the boats are making decent speeds now as something resembling Trade winds has kicked in giving them decent Easterlies to carry them up to the Equator. The boats are likely to bunch up as they approach the notoriously tricky Doldrums. Whether anyone can sneak through without stopping remains to be seen.
The breeze has been so light, that sometimes it would be faster to walk (were that possible). Averages have been at less than 6 knots boat speed, and daily average runs down under 150 mile days.
It takes a certain mind set to cope with these conditions, just as much as it does to cope with the cold, tough, fast sailing of the high latitudes. The sails rattle when the boat rolls, as they hang, with no wind to fill them. Down below will be hot and there is always that one tin in the bilges banging about loose and you can never find.
It is mentally tough, but you must never whine. Everyone on board wants the boat to be on a broad reach averaging 10 knots, but it isn’t happening so you have cope with what you have. Keeping the boat moving takes a lot of effort for what appears to be little gains, but when it is all you have you must take it.
Most importantly, enjoy what you have. Tremendous camaraderie, amazing sunrises and sunsets, wildlife unique to the area. It may not be what you signed up for , but there is a lot of mental fortitude to be gained from the light stuff, and it is amazing how quickly it is forgotten once the breeze fills in!
By Sal Hunter, Maiden crew in 89/90 Whitbread.
