Land Sickness – Looking Forward to Horta

Today’s blog sees the crew’s moral increase, along with the speed of Challenger 2, as they start to contemplate their arrival and all the pros and cons of terra firma.

Sailing upwind at an angle

21/01/20

A shift in momentum.

First things first; weather. Less of it. Finally. Today saw a massive improvement in sea state subsequently resulting in a vast improvement in speed. In the early hours this morning, progress was attritional, our vessel consistently and stubbornly refusing to go past 5 knots (nautical miles/hour). Since the flattening of the sea state allied to a more easterly wind; average speed has increased to above 8 knots ; which has also coincided with a not inconsiderable rise in crew morale.

At the time of writing this blog; we are currently 230 miles west of Horta and the promise of having a shower, beer and doing our laundry; not necessarily in that order! The general feeling of the crew is one of anticipation; particularly in regards to being able to contact friends and family. We are also with equal degrees of trepidation and delight looking forward to a respite of not having to constantly battle with gravity and living life at 30 degrees (starboard tack!) whilst wondering what the effect of our new found stability on land will have on us (apparently land sickness is a thing) and a story many of us will vehemently stick with after a few at Peters Bar!

So a few things to report; minor calamities have afflicted our stoic crew. These amounted to a bruised knee; a grazed leg which was deftly treated by our fabulous on-board medic and the reoccurrence of seasickness. Though one does suspect more egos have been bruised as opposed to physical ones! Apart from these very minor quibbles; everyone on board is safe, happy and well.

Roll on Horta!!

Jane, Alexis and Karl.

170 miles to Horta as the crow flies. Unfortunately, CH 2 can’t sail in a straight line for Horta at the moment because of the wind angle

Skipper Sue’s Log

Date Tuesday 21^st Jan, 2020
Time : 1200 GMT (1000 boat time)
Position : 38 27’N    34  15’ W
Destination : Horta, Azores
ETA : 22/23 Jan
Sailplan : 3 reefs, storm stay, Y3

Apparent wind: 25 gusting 30kts

SOG 8kts
Fuel : 2 full, 1 in use, 1 empty
Water : 2  full, 1 in use 1 empty – watermaker now switched off
Gas : 2 full, 1 in use, 2 empty

I can’t say that anyone is enjoying beating into 30kts to finish the first leg of our passage to Horta. Spirits fell a little last night as we struggled to make 5kts in a lumpy and difficult sea state and the more optimistic arrival prediction times came & went. Life is a bit more cheerful this morning as the sea state moderated enough to make helming with the Y3 up more manageable – for a time – and we are at least making a reasonable speed if not a great course. 265nm to run but it will involve at least a couple of tacks. Overnight saw 2 relatively minor impact injuries, one of which is just a painful knock, the other a small laceration that I have sought medical advice on as the medic on board recommends a suture or glue to close the wound.  Looking forward to Horta.

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Posted by: First Class Sailing