Day 6: 1000 Miles Of Atlantic In Five Days

Flying fish and a flying boat,  plus the skipper in the trapeze and Mother Nature putting on a fine display,  it is all beginning to sound like the Greatest Showman! Here’s the latest blog from the FCS crew on Challenger 4 as they cross the Atlantic in the ARC Rally.

29 – 30th Nov 2018

Another speedy day for Challenger 4 with a 24 hour run of 202 miles at midday.

Our little island in the ocean has been a hive of activity with fresh bread and scones being made, speed records set and running repairs completed. Having Johns freshly made bread and Kates Devonshire homemade scones has been a real treat. The mother watches are making some fantastic meals and keeping the crew running on fuel whilst Wendy charges our yacht forwards at 15.1 knots!

Ricky battled at the top of the mast repairing batton luff boxes whilst Kirstie did her best concentrating face to keep the helm steady and stop Ricky swinging around too much.
The night is once again upon us and the helming tricky in the pitch black vista. The crew are acing the wheel and keeping Challenger 4 steadily cutting through the waters towards the sunset and awaiting rum punches!

This morning’s sunrise gave us a pretty pinky orange backdrop and the heat of the day is yet to set in. The swell has eased and there is a comfortable motion on the boat once more.
We have broken through the 2000nm to go mark (in a straight line) and have almost clocked our first 1000 miles. Zooming out in the chart doesn’t seem quite as daunting now as our little boat and orange line are making steady progress across the white canvas of the pc screen. Westwards we go!

Challenger 4 (orange) and Challenger 3 positions after 6 days (or so)

Kirstie – Mate

Crew Watches Smooth Running

Its amazing to think that we have only been at sea for 5 days and yet all systems seem to be working well and the ever revolving watches are running so smoothly that one of the watch leaders can spend the day on mother duties – cooking and cleaning as though lives depended upon I, which they do, (not usual activities in Bruce’s personal life).

The last 24 hours have seen the drama of Ricky on the high trapeze, whilst all on deck below, strained both eyes and ears to understand instructions to ensure an efficient repair and a safe return to the ever moving deck beneath. The testing conditions of helming in complete darkness, save for the canopy of a million stars, prior to the moon’s overhead searchlight beaming down on us all, has proved to be worthy challenge for all. However, the crew really are displaying great expertise in this most difficult of activities.

We expect to complete our first 1000 miles prior to dusk this evening, which, when achieved, will be a great effort by all. The flying fish continue to entertain the crew with their amazing ability to miss waves and ourselves. Still no nightime stowaways to evict from Challenger 4.

The masterchef competition continues apace, with Jan and Bruce being defeated this morning by the limited hob space, meaning the banana pancakes being reserved for treats later in the day, when the sun will be at its hottest. Tonight we are visiting New Orleans in our world tour of culinary delights with a Greek themed extravaganza.

Jan and Bruce

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Posted by: First Class Sailing