Sunday, August 8, 2010

Melbourne to Vanuatu Yacht Race - Day 3 - Gone Sailing / Jumping


Gone Sailing / Jumping - Issue 3

We are excited to report we have done "the jump", after hugging the coast for most of the evening we decided to bear right just north of Goalen Head around 0600 this morning. This has instilled an element of excitement and a buzz amongst the crew as that liberating feeling of the start of a true ocean passage sets in. After our benign previous 24 hours, the wind gods have decided to give us a little more puff to push us up the coast - perhaps they are actually appreciating the undie ceremonies?..!?...

A consistent 15-20 knots mainly from the south-west has seen us moving at an average of 8 knots - a marked improvement on our previous 1-2 knot average. Other than a few hours of a very confused sea state (where Bass Straight meets the east Australian current - think Nemo)giving us the feeling we were cruising the coast on a pogo stick the conditions again have been exceptionally comfortable.

Right now the big kites up, with the main eased we are steering north-east (towards warmth - yippee!), averaging 8.3 knots and most of the crew are on deck enjoying the sunshine and eating freshly cooked popcorn ala Mike. Nick Fo has just entered the galley arcing up the jaffle iron for lunch time toasties, his comment "they will take a while and they wont be pretty but gee they'll taste good!". The first one has been served and I am unsure whether Mike's comment about whether he can obtain carbon credits is a compliment or that burning smell has seeped through the iron...Legend effort I say Nick any galley action is good action!

Notable achievements:
* Nick Fo - speed record thus far - 12.7 knots
* Most useful crew member - Carolyn Stoopman (again) - Vege Pie was great, I even managed to compliment it with pasta that held its shape. Have shied away from rice and pressure cookers for the moment.
* 6 out of 8 crew have had an undie change day - ewww! YOu guess who is saving themselves for a special moment...

Hallucination of the day:
Leon mentioning to watch out for Cruise ships out Shepparton... mmm???

The weather pattern for the next few days is looking good if anything a little light, we are still in the hands of the weather to determine our arrival time but a quick calculation with approx. 1450 nautical miles to go if we average 7-8 knots = 8 days this is a very rough guess and we will keep the ceremonies going to keep Huey the wind god excited!

After a good sleep catch up after watch this morning it is easy to put down the book and enjoy every moment of days like today. Watching the land disappear behind us, the feeling of sailing into the big blue yonder is hard to describe but somehow it puts perspective back into everything. With so much time for the simple things, it also makes you realise and reflect on how lucky/privileged we are to be in the position to be able to undertake a journey such as this - this humbling feeling and genuine appreciation is certainly not lost on any of the Samskara crew!

Must fly and enjoy the fun on deck!

Signing off on behalf of the Samskara Crew,
The Ships Cat.

Today's ditty dedicated to competing boat and good friends, Rosie and David from "Ingenue"
By Nick Foa

Ingenue she has many strengths
She might not be fastest,
but she has sailed great lengths
But to jump the start on an 1800 mile race,
was a move that we we all think is ace
Go Rosie and David!

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