{"id":4789,"date":"2019-11-05T16:47:43","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T16:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/?p=4789"},"modified":"2019-11-12T21:23:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-12T21:23:46","slug":"riders-of-the-storm-day-3-5-biscay-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/riders-of-the-storm-day-3-5-biscay-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Riders Of The Storm: Day 3-5 Biscay ’19"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Storm

Riders of the storm<\/p><\/div>\n

With a storm to ride out, the crew weren’t able to keep sending in a blog each day. So, we’ve collated the skipper’s daily logs into one blog to give an idea of what it’s like to be in a storm.<\/p>\n

Bracing for the Storm – Day 3 Skipper’s Log<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Date : 02\/11\/19<\/p>\n

Time : 12:00 UT<\/p>\n

Position :45.37 N 006.57W<\/p>\n

Position : Biscay, 180nm to Finisterre<\/p>\n

Destination : Las Palmas<\/p>\n

ETA : 14th<\/sup>\u00a0November 2019<\/p>\n

DTF : 12500nm<\/p>\n

Fuel : 2 full, 1 in use. 1MT<\/p>\n

Water : 3 full, 1 in use<\/p>\n

Gas : 4 full, 1 in use<\/p>\n

Notes and comments :<\/p>\n

Heavy past 24 hours with 35-40 knots on the nose, plenty of water over the deck and plenty of rains and squalls.\u00a0 Everything is pretty wet at the moment.\u00a0 Much seasickness for everyone so all a bit of struggle, everyone keen to get across Biscay now and make for the sunshine.\u00a0 Overall everyone digging deep and getting on with the slog.<\/p>\n

We are now bracing for the midnight storm with 50 knots due.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Storm \u2013 Day 4 Skipper’s Log<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Date : 03\/11\/19<\/p>\n

Time : 12:00 UT<\/p>\n

Position :43.32 N 006.48W<\/p>\n

Position la Coruna<\/p>\n

Destination : Las Palmas<\/p>\n

ETA : 14th<\/sup>\u00a0November 2019<\/p>\n

DTF : 1030 00nm<\/p>\n

Fuel : 2 full, 1 in use. 1MT<\/p>\n

Water : 3 full, 1 in use<\/p>\n

Gas : 4 full, 1 in use,<\/p>\n

Notes and comments :<\/p>\n

As predicted it was a tough 24hrs with 40 knots all day before the low pressure system hit us around 2000hrs last night.\u00a0 For the next 10 hours we had 50 knots plus with highest wind recorded as 73kts over the deck. We were well into F12, hurricane force.\u00a0 The sea was unimaginable but we got through with no injuries except the odd bruise or scrape.<\/p>\n

I reduced crew numbers down to a minimum in the cockpit on safety grounds as we weathered the storm.\u00a0 We had the storm stay up and at its strongest point both stay sheets parted leaving us with a flogging storm stay.<\/p>\n

With Lindsey on the helm and supported by one crew member I managed to get the storm stay down and lashed.<\/p>\n

Full credit goes to Lindsey who did an amazing stint on the helm while I navigated and gave her heads up of further squalls approaching.<\/p>\n

Numerous lifejackets were actuating as everyone is so wet. Things started to improve around 0700hrs but we still have a big sea state.<\/p>\n

Spanish SAR came and spent 10-15 minutes hovering over us, chatting just making sure we were all fine which was reassuring for all.<\/p>\n

\"These

These photos were taken by the Spanish Coastguard<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Crew are doing fine and enjoyed the Biscay element so far despite its toughness. My assessment told me that we now need to make for La Coruna for some rest and recovery.<\/p>\n

My crew are just starting to show signs of needing a break before we have an accident.\u00a0 Lindsey and I definitely need some recovery time.\u00a0 The boat is a mess as you can expect. Below we need to dry out and clean. Emailed La Coruna earlier today who have confirmed my berth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Landfall in La Coruna, Spain, after the storm<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Evening\/night all<\/p>\n

The awesome Challenger 2 has arrived into La Coruna at 2100 with lines made fast.<\/p>\n

Crew have been awesome and all are looking back on last night\u2019s fun and games with fond memories and even better stories.<\/p>\n

We caught the start of the second weather system coming into Biscay on our way here. Crew commented that it was nothing as was only half the strength of yesterday.<\/p>\n

We are now tucking into a late night curry before the night time activity of flaking the mainsail in the dark.Plan for tomorrow is to have a good clean in the morning with jobs before crew get some time to go and explore.<\/p>\n

We are definitely not a group of individuals but a complete team and crew of Challenger 2.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

What a difference a day makes \u2013 Day 5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Some will remember the old crooner\u2019s song \u2018what a difference a day makes, 24 little hours\u2019 and it certainly did for the crew of Challenger 2.<\/p>\n

After several days of storm force conditions in Biscay we were tired wet and less than cheerful.\u00a0 However arriving in La Coruna immediately boosted our spirits.\u00a0 So much that we ate the first full meal most of had managed to keep down since crossing the Channel, some even asked for \u2018a second helping\u2019; shades of Oliver Twist.\u00a0 Then a good night\u2019s sleep, a hearty breakfast and a hot shower.\u00a0 In less than 12 hours we certainly felt the difference.<\/p>\n

Our \u2018happy hour\u2019 of cleaning went like a breeze and with our kit being dried in the launderette and everyone in a bar enjoying a beer we really were \u2018feeling the difference\u2019 .\u00a0 A superb tapas meal later that evening completed our \u201824 little hours\u2019.<\/p>\n

Those who know the song lyric will recall that it continues \u2018and the difference is you\u2019 but in our case it\u2019s not the case.\u00a0 We started from Gunwharf less than 6 days previously as an eclectic group of individuals but we are now a team, the crew of Challenger 2.\u00a0 The \u2018difference is us \u2026\u2026.\u2019<\/p>\n

Ian Jenkinson, Carsington Sailing Club Derbyshire<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Skipper’s Log<\/h3>\n

Date : 05\/11\/19<\/p>\n

Time : 14:00 UT<\/p>\n

Position :43.25 N 08:35W<\/p>\n

Position : Finisterre<\/p>\n

Destination : Rubicon, Lanzarote<\/p>\n

ETA : 11th<\/sup> November 2019<\/p>\n

DTD: 910NM<\/p>\n

Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use.<\/p>\n

Water : 3 full, 1 in use<\/p>\n

Gas : 4 full, 1 in use,<\/p>\n

Notes and comments :<\/p>\n

We’ve been busy this morning refuelling and getting out to sea.\u00a0 Nice two nights in La Coruna and all enjoying drying out, having showers and a good meal ashore.\u00a0 Right decision I think to take some R&R.<\/p>\n

For the rest of us we are having a lovely sail around Finisterre, chicken goujons wraps for lunch in the sunshine on deck,\u00a0 have had some heavy squalls and the rain of course but at the moment life is good with chilli con carne booked for tonight.\u00a0 We have also reserved a table at the Argentinian steak house in Las Palmas for our last night!<\/p>\n

The weather is looking good for the rest of the trip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More blogs about this Atlantic Adventure can be read here: Portsmouth to Gran Canaria<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Book Your Own Atlantic Adventure<\/h2>\n

If this blog has inspired you to voyage across an ocean then start speaking to the team in the office. They can assess which Atlantic voyage will be good for you and what course would take you to that level.<\/p>\n

Fill in the form below and they will call you back.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Request a Call Back about the next Atlantic Crossing<\/h2>\n
*<\/span> indicates required<\/div>\n