Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
2nd Night Watch Interlude A good night for shooting stars around Gemini, and whilst no means a meteor shower, included a fizzing ember that lingered for 2 or 3 heartbeats as it streaked the 20 or so degrees from Canis Minor over to Sirius, the Dog Star in the larger sibling. Jim. … Read more
Day: 9 The Race Is Hotting Up
Monday 3 December Today’s main event was the “half-way party” which was the strangest and most wonderful mid-ocean celebration most of us had ever attended. We are celebrating being slightly more than 1,550 nautical miles into this race, with a “short” 1310 Nm left to run. THAT, ladies and gentlemen of the internet,… Read more
DAY 8: Poem from the Atlantic High Seas
At some point in an Atlantic voyage the romance of the journey will inspire a crew member to put pen to paper and create some poetry. Marsh’s poem didn’t come with a title so our working one is… The Challenge Bruce, our watch leader wants to set me a task, he said: “Marsh –… Read more
DAY 8: Which Yacht Will Claim Half-Way Point Bragging Rights?
This blog also contained a Fruit Flash! The crew are testing bags that preserve fruit and veg. The experiment wasn’t going as well as expected, however it seems some produce fares better than others. Read all about it here: Long Voyage Fruit and Veg preservation Experiment. In this blog the half-way point is on the… Read more
Day 7: Gusts, Bananas and Special Pancake Mix
Crossing the Atlantic brings many different challenges and experiences. The FCS crew on Challenger 4 are close to the mid-point of the ARC Rally and enjoying every minute. The Wind In Your Sails Spent the night on lookout for whales but were entertained instead by winds gusting 17-23. We are sailing downwind so with… Read more
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… Read more
Day 5: Wendy Smashes Speed Record!
Challenger 4 has started to build up steam in the stronger winds with over 200 nautical miles clocked in a 24 hour period for the first time, and showers are finally allowed. Feeling The Need For Speed Hello from 21° 41′ N; 24 ° 21′ W We are now in the Tropics. Day 5 and… Read more
Day 4: Bay Watch vs Crime Watch
The crew have developed some competitive rivalry aboard Challenger 4 splitting into two watch teams. Ger and Mark P explain the system of watches on board and what it’s like to be up on deck, on watch. Eat, Sleep, Sail. Repeat The days are starting to blur into a pattern of eat, sleep,… Read more
Day 3: I See An Orange Moon A-Rising…
In today’s blog, the crew of Challenger 4 are greeted to an Orange Moon rising over the nighttime horizon, and Mate Kirstie discovers salt water in the bilges. Where is it coming from? Mate Kirstie’s Blog We are now at the end of our second full day at sea. After the busy chaos of Ocean… Read more
Day 2: When To Change Into Shorts?
Jim takes us on a poetic tour of the stars overnight, as the crew settle into the rhythm of their watches. Dawn breaks and they contemplate when it will be warm enough to change into shorts – a sailor’s life! A Starry Night With Papa Watch, Simon and our first mothers getting their… Read more
