ARC Rally Blog: Swing to the Rhythm of the Boat

2,098 views | November 20th, 2017

The FCS crew on Challenger 2 are sailing to St Lucia in the ARC Rally, racing against many boats, but mainly Challenger 1. We’re expecting regular blogs over the next two weeks and this one gives you a glimpse into preparations for crossing the Atlantic

Sunday/Monday 20 November 2017

Greetings from Challenger 2! We are all now settling into our watch duties – (4 on 4 off at night and 6 on 6 off during the day) and beginning to ‘swing to the rhythm of the boat’.

Fortunately we have had little problem with the dreaded sea sickness and all are in good spirits.

Last night was our first night sail and there was many a stubbed toe as we familiarised ourselves moving about the boat in total darkness! No lights are allowed as it causes too many problems for the helmsman.

However, needs must and when a change of sail configuration was called for this was carried out in reasonably good order… for a first effort, albeit with some very apprehensive looking faces.

We flew through the night making very good time with the new sail set up, until the wind died at about 2am, when our speed dropped from over 11 knots (Alan Freeman holds the early Helmsman record!), to a miserly 2.5 knots for a fair period of the early morning.

This morning a mighty cheer erupted at the sight of a large school of dolphins following within a short distance of the boat. As I write, there is further excitement because we have more visitors as the rear of the boat!

Joe & Mark

Skipper’s Report Monday 20th November

Today on Challenger 2: Breakfast : Spanish Omelettes, Lunch : Salad Buffet, Dinner : Chicken Thai Style with Wild Rice
No music yet…

A relaxed beam reach start for ARC 2017. Challenger 2 hugged the coast down to the airport and then continued on a Port Gybe until after dinner at 19:00.

We gybed when we were about 40Nm South of Gran Canaria, trusting that the wind shadow was not as prevalent as normal – as forecast.

We got caught in a light and flukey wind hole for a couple of hours which allowed Challenger 1 to catch us and they are now five miles due South of us.
150Nm done, 2500 to go…

Ricky Chalmers, Skipper, Challenger 2

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