Crossing the Atlantic Using Denebola and Chertan

The FCS crew on Challenger 2 can almost feel the dry land and taste wet beer that awaits in Horta or this leg from Antigua to Portsmouth Harbour. First update comes from the mate and that will be followed by the crew’s musing. Will tinned sweetcorn get a mention?

Day 12 Blog: Atlantic Wind in the Right Direction

Date :20 January 2018
Time : 12:00 GMT
Position :38.10.18 N 32.45.42 W
Destination Horta
ETA 21 January

Good Morning

The wind has picked up as predicted, it is currently fluctuating between 20 to 30knts. We are therefore tanking along at 10knts on a beam reach and making excellent progress towards Horta, ETA mid-morning tomorrow.

The last 12 hours have seen us rack up 115nm in the right direction, mainly. Helmsmanship has been tested in these conditions and we have had varying degrees of success.

It has however been a good indication of who our strongest helms people are which will be important for the next leg. Although spirits are high and there is an increased level of excitement, I think everyone will be pleased to arrive tomorrow morning.

A hot shower, a good meal, everyday objects that are static and of course the obligatory beer at Pete’s bar are major topics of conversation. So all being well our next mid-day position report will be from Horta Marina.

Regards
Nick, Mate, Challenger 2

Day 12 Blog 19/01/2018

Here we are 400 M away from Horta looking forward to touch terraferma yet not feeling too happy about ending the first part of this voyage to Portsmouth.

We have been blessed to sail in fantastic conditions all the way so far and expect more wind later today, still in dry weather 🙂

All of the Challenger 2 crew on board is happy and enjoying the sail treasuring unique moments with good background music, laughter and exceptionally good food – thanks to all chefs and chefs to be including our cake specialist Alexis and bread baker Ben

I personally feel privileged and very lucky to have had the best watch to date making our shift short and full of happy moments – thank you all

All my love to my family especially To Tina, Daniel and Richard, and friends back home in UK and Italy
Love you all
Leo, Watch Leader

Dear Jolly Green Giant.

The itch seems to be moving, please advise.
Cheers Steve.
“Mummy when I grow up I want to be a sailor”. “Don’t be silly son you can’t be both”.
Mate

Dear Steve,
Once again thank you for contacting us with your product issue, we can think of many ways in which we can help. But if the itch keeps moving are you sure that you don’t have something alive in your clothes in the location of the itch? If so we suggest you tempt it out with sweetcorn.
Helping you through the day. Jolly Green Giant

Dear Jolly Green Giant.
I now believe it is the escaping of the multiple volumes of sweetcorn that may be the issue. Will bicycle clips assist?
Please advise.
Concerned, Steve.

Hey Lesley,

Back again on night watch (you know nothing Jon Snow) with more entertaining insights and random ramblings.
The end of this evenings watch while doing three song and switch helming with Tony, we remarked on the fact that we were using the stars to keep a straight course, and found this easier than using the compass and GPS once we had found a star on the correct course.

Having looked the stars up on Stellarium it appears we may have been using Denebola And Chertan (Leo) although this could be wrong.

We also remarked on the sheer amount of stars that we were able to see, and the fact that we generally had no clue what most of them were. The main ones we were able to identify without the use of an app are the Plough, Orion, Polaris, and Cassiopeia, and this accounts for probably 1% of the stars that we can see, is this due to the fact that we no longer look at the stars because we can’t see them at home due to light pollution?

Have we lost something or does it make it more special when we can finally see them in all their glory in a dark night sky.

Tonight also marked the returning of the moon, which should brighten up the sky on the second leg of our journey.
We’r closing on nearly only a day way from Horta, and this is bring much reflection on what has been achieved so far, and what we are going to do once we get there.

What have we done so far, well there have been 15 strangers in a small space for 2 weeks, in an environment that constantly seems to be trying to wear you out and beat you up?

Whilst providing you with stunning sights and great comradeship. A lot of unsocial hours, we don’t get paid double time for a night shift, and it’s a 7 day working week as well.

So Horta, the main thrust seems to be Beer, Pete’s bar and possibly find a hotel for a couple of nights luxury and cooked breakfasts, followed by more beer, and may be a cheeky chaser.

Well back to other matters from today, our watch took a reef in the mainsail today as we were expecting the wind to increase overnight, the operation was directed by steve with Nick casting an eye over the operation, it all seemed to go well, and everything was done smoothly and neatly, with Nick giving a knowing nod and stating that it was a tidy job.

We were all please with this high praise from Nick, which brings us onto what sort of weather do you put the second reef in the mainsail on a Challenger boat? Well it seems to be when you are expecting 30+ knots of apparent wind along with whatever additional wind Steve produces to add to the equation.

Now in my past sailing experience when you are expecting winds over 30 knots you head for the bar, and this is exactly what we are doing it just appears that the bar is still days away, and we have to sail through the wind.

Budgie (going back on deck)

See the Atlantic Night Sky for Yourself

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Image of Leo based on original artwork by Till Credner

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