More stories from Bay of Biscay

Hello again...

More news on the tough sailing. Well, after the rough previous night, we
continued to have a tough day. As I was anticipating the wind picked up
to 30 knots, and by the time of our watch, we were screaming downwind
with the spinnaker. Well, that is enjoyable if anything under normal
conditions. Biscay is not "normal conditions", the waves do not follow
the wind, the swells of the ocean, tide, waves of wind and of those
bouncing from shore muse together, and they literally come from every
where. This swings the boat abnormally, causing the spinnaker to wander
around in front of the boat, threatening us with a gybe or another
wrap...

Another hard working time, getting one yankee sail down, getting another
up on deck, before dropping the spinnakker. We hoisted the yankee, the
stay sail, and still screamed down at 10 knots speed through the night,
fighting against the wierd pushes from the waves.
MANY HIGH POINTS THOUGH:
- Continuously working was great, lots of learning, and a nice tiredness
- Going up to the pole to spike the spinnaker, when making way by 14
knots, and the boat was swinging like a toy
- Helming for hours on end during night, and particularly at a gybe.
Tough responsibility, as an accidental gybe on the process would
literally risk loosing one (or more) of the crew at the foredeck

Finally handed over the watch, after hoisting the spinnaker again after
leaving Bay of Biscay. Sunny, windy lovely day outside. Already looking
forward for my next watch

The only low point: We did loose our position during all the hassle.
We're ranking 7th:( But there are 4700miles to go, too early to be
sorry...

Keep an eye on me
Hande