Poised for the off!
Reservoir Dogs
Patrick Farrell
Sat 22 Nov 2014 16:10
The boat is seriously ready. We have done a lot of prep work on the way down and a lot more this week while we’ve been here.
The crew has worked hard (and played hard!) and are now keen to get started. Catriona joined us yesterday so now we are six.
(For the record - Myself, Nigel, Mike, Peter, Bev and Catriona)
Nigel and I have just returned from the Skippers Briefing where we were taken through the Sailing Instructions and weather expectations for the first week.
The weather here at the moment is wet and windy. There is a low weather system sitting on the North end of Gran Canaria. So, at the start tomorrow, we are expecting 23-25 knots of wind from the N/NW and a big sea. So it will be a running start with the wind and tide behind us and a 3 hour penalty for being over the start line early. Quite exciting.
The low is filling, however, and moving North East. We will be sailing south so, by Sunday evening / Monday morning, the wind should drop to c.18 knots and veer NE. So things will improve pretty quickly. Also, since the system is on the north of the island and wind is currently in the NE, there will be little or no acceleration zone as we pass down the east coast of Gran Canaria. We can stay inshore where the water may be flatter.
Regarding our route, the Azores high pressure system seems to have established itself further north than usual this year. This means that we will not have to sail as far south to pick up the trade winds from the E/NE. Normally the fleet goes south almost to the Cape Verde Islands. We think that as soon as we get clear of the Canaries, 50+nm south, we may start to pick up the trades, turn right and head for St Lucia. With a shorter route there could be some record crossings this year by some of the bigger racing boats.
So, it’s a quiet meal tonight :0), followed by a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast and then Tally Ho!
Looking at the weather charts it looks like it could be quite grotty up there in the UK. Don’t worry, it will be OK where we are.
P