Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
In today’s blog the crew battle with light winds and Matt explains how crucial food is to daily life aboard, before “Wilson”, the stowaway, makes an appearance. Monday blog 27/1/20 Last night we had bioluminescence, strong bioluminescence and dolphins. The electric blue silhouetted their trajectories through the seas as they overtook Challenger 2 and then… Read more
Horta – Arrival and Departure
The Crew of Challenger 2 are making way again and headed for UK waters – next stop, Falmouth! Arrival at last! So in the early hours of the morning (UT) we finally got a glimpse of salvation. The bright lights of Horta lured us in the last few miles. Along the way; we were… Read more
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. 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… Read more
Beating, Spirits and the Cool Jazz Sounds
In today’s blog, the crew are sailing upwind and tacking (also known as beating) towards the Azores. It’s hard work and slow-going, but their spirits remain high. The blog goes on to vividly and accurately describe the sounds and the feel of being at sea in these challenging conditions. 20-JAN and all is well Last… Read more
Rough weather, high boat speeds and Jambalaya for supper
Excitment is building on Challenger 2 as they close in on the Azores. Life on board has been challenging in the rough weather they have had. Crew member Matt gives us a snapshot of the last 48 hours or so. 17th January 2020 During the 21.00 to midnight watch, 25 knots, gusting to 45 knots,… Read more
Bouncing the stars – night sailing
Luke gives us an update from yesterday. They are soon expecting 40+ knots and have carried out heavy weather preparations. Night sailing is generally pleasant when the sky is clear You can pick a star to steer by and bounce it between the shrouds on the windward side. Unfortunately, last night was not one of… Read more
An alfresco feast at halfway point to the Azores
Challenger 2 are now over halfway to the Azores and feeling like Champions as this update from Stephen suggests. Our second Motherwatch successfully completed today. Boat swept and mopped, surfaces cleaned, grey water tank pumped and 16 people fed – none of whom complained! Lunch included an al-fresco celebration of passing the halfway point to… Read more
Too Much Fun
We haven’t had a blog back from the crew today, but I do have the Skipper’s Log from Sue for the past 2 days for you. It sounds like the wind picked up nicely after the Doldrums and the crew are sailing again. Tuesday 14th Jan, 2020 Time : 1522 GMT (1220 Boat… Read more
925nm notched off. The crew of Challenger 2 have been pulling together in quite rough conditions.
Today’s blog is a collection of musings from the crew and skipper from the last couple of days sailign across the Atlantic They have been bounced around but should now be getting some respite as this position update shows they are finally in a more westerly airlow and heading properly east. Salty sea dogs 10/01/2020… Read more
Sharp squalls and sudden lulls – update from Skipper Sue
Short report, keyboard & mouse won’t stay still. We prepped early for the blow that we knew was coming, complicated somewhat by sharp squalls and sudden lulls in the early hours. Top gust so far 45kts. The wind has now settled to a steadier 33kts ish, gusting high thirties at times. The sea state has… Read more
