{"id":4901,"date":"2019-11-27T14:43:10","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T14:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/?p=4901"},"modified":"2019-11-28T16:55:09","modified_gmt":"2019-11-28T16:55:09","slug":"wednesday-27th-day-4-challenger-2-in-quiet-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/wednesday-27th-day-4-challenger-2-in-quiet-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"Wednesday 27th, Day 4, Challenger 2 in quiet waters"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We’ve just received word back from our boat Challenger 2 currently crossing the Atlantic in the ARC Rally 2019 and you can read all about the progress and some of the more information on the day to day running of the boat.<\/p>\n

\"View

Clear Waters in the Atlantic<\/p><\/div>\n

Mates Blog<\/h2>\n

After a fast and rolly blast south from the Canary Islands the winds have moderated and the sea calmed.\u00a0 The crew have been enjoying mastering their skills at pole dancing (manoeuvring a large spinnaker pole to fly various sails from).\u00a0 So far no moon has risen and the evenings have been dominated by a huge, dark sky, clouds blocking even the slightest glimmer of stars, making helming tricky at the best of times in heaving seas.<\/p>\n

A flat, calm sea descended throughout yesterday as the wind died down and we again launched our spinnaker for the second time.
\nAs the sun began to plunge into the horizon a delicate peach hue painted itself across the sky, a vibrant flash of pink vied for dominance and attention before succumbing to the inky blackness.<\/p>\n

And then it was dark<\/h4>\n

Alas the stars rose, Venus the brightest planet, rose early with Jupiter hanging out just alongside.\u00a0 The night so dark that the light from Venus left its own shimmer and light trail across the vast ocean ahead \u2013 a guiding light, a landing strip.
\nTwinkling stars and a flat sea allowed us to fly our spinnaker overnight, carrying us through very light patches and making the most of a dark cloud that gave us a little push in the right direction.<\/p>\n

A star gazers dream!\u00a0 Orion, his belt and his dagger dominated the midnight sky, Sirius and Ursa Major and Minor made an appearance. Then the Pole star rose from the sea.\u00a0 The seven sisters, a pretty smudge of light far above, could be seen and each of the sisters identified if stared at for long enough!<\/p>\n

The stern of the boat chomps through the brine, sparkles of Bio-luminescence leave a long, glittering trail behind us in our wake, a history of where we\u2019ve been, our only trace left across this vast, watery desert.\u00a0 Larger disturbances explode behind us. Like a strobe light under the surface, one a second, in random places, silent bubble bombs of light, enough to grab your attention, transfixed for a moment but gone before being able to discern the true shape or detail.\u00a0 To see what made the disturbance, a form, an identity.\u00a0 A little gift from the sea, a hint of what\u2019s below.<\/p>\n

Zigging and Zagging<\/h4>\n

The inky night continues, a chill in the air, quiet conversations on deck, 6 other yachts zigging and zagging a few miles away.\u00a0 AIS, bright on screen at the chart table tells us of their speed, heading and where they\u2019ve come from.\u00a0 Some get close, we can see their navigation lights, occasionally a radio conversation, a shared discussion from one island of safety to another.\u00a0 Large tankers appear on the screen, dots of lights on the horizon, a plume of light.\u00a0 They come, glide past at speed and are then gone.\u00a0 A different world, a variety of destinations.<\/p>\n

A splash in the deep, an exhalation, a faint whiff of fishy, salty air.
\nLoops of bright-white light up the deep, lines like lightning fast torpedoes zoom close and far, a huge splash as the surface of the ocean erupts, glittering water cascades off the backs of playful and hunting dolphins.\u00a0 Another treasure from the sea, a magical show of elegance and power, a glimpse into an unknown world to which we are visitors.
\nThey stay with us, tease us, show off and then they are gone.<\/p>\n

Challenger 2 spinnaker flies<\/h4>\n

The boat continues to cut its way forward.\u00a0 The helm concentrates.\u00a0 Others sleep in their bunks below.<\/p>\n

Dawn approaches.\u00a0 Later and later each day as we move Westwards.\u00a0 Soon we will adjust our clocks.
\nA dark night gives way to a grey dawn, a pastel blue.<\/p>\n

We need to gybe.\u00a0 Ricky and I prep for the manoeuvre before Ricky takes the helm and the crew get stuck in to hoisting a new pole, rigging the lines and hauling in the mainsail.\u00a0Pole risen, aft guy made, we then drop the old pole, de-rig and after a hive of activity the new preventer is set, the main eased out on the new side and we are making way steadily once again.\u00a0A successful gybe of the spinnaker and the first of the voyage.<\/p>\n

The sky is now a vibrant blue, the sun is beating down and sunhats, cream and shades are the order of the day.<\/p>\n

\u2026maybe today we will see a whale, the conditions are perfect after all!<\/p>\n

Kirstie \u2013 1st<\/sup> Mate<\/p>\n

\"Raising

Raising the spinnaker<\/p><\/div>\n

Mother Watch Blog<\/h2>\n

First, an explanation of what \u201cMother Watch\u201d is. In order to allow the Challenger 2 to sail 24×7, whilst her crew is well fed and the boat is maintained, two dedicated members from the crew are pulled off sailing duties each day to \u201cmother\u201d the boat and her crew.\u00a0 Just as with the sailing (a gentlemen\u2019s wager was agreed upon in the dark of night, to reward the crew member helming\u00a0 the\u00a0 highest speed over ground, so long as it is in the correct direction, with a bottle of wine in St Lucia) each day\u2019s Mother Watch attempts to create the best gourmet experience within the limitations of our limited supplies at sea, and maintain a level of cleanliness that your mother would have approved of.<\/p>\n

The watermaker<\/h4>\n

Speaking of clean, some of the true pleasure on a sailboat at sea, are clean clothes and a fresh water shower.\u00a0 Thankfully, Challenger 2 has a functioning watermaker and our crew began to avail themselves of this true luxury yesterday.\u00a0 Even though the Challenger 2 is crawling along at a snails pace, due to the pitiful showing of wind, her crew is jubilant and much less pungent thanks to said watermaker. As Karl Malden used to say \u201cNEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT ONE!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

A big shout to those back home that don\u2019t need to concern themselves with such trivial pleasures.<\/p>\n

\"Cottage

Today’s culinary delight<\/p><\/div>\n

Gary<\/p>\n

Skippers Log<\/strong><\/p>\n

Running for the last 24 hours under spinnaker, with some tricky light wind spinnaker helming \u00a0through the night. Helming skills are coming on well and we are making best use of some light winds with the benefit of very flat seas. The sky is full of very bright starts which is giving some visual reference compared to the cloudy and dark skies of last night.<\/p>\n

We closed the path of Challenger 1 this yesterday lunch and had her visible for a long while, but finally lost AIS contact with her at about 1900. Hopefully we will cross paths again when we gybe to the South some time this morning. Update – \u00a0a dawn gybe went well and we are now on the Southern gybe.<\/p>\n

Ricky Chalmers<\/p>\n

\"Ricky

Skipper Ricky<\/p><\/div>\n

A dark, starry night under spinnaker.\u00a0 Dolphins came for a visit, leaving sparkly swirls and torpedo trails.\u00a0 Our wake left explosions of bio-luminescent bubbles – everyone on-board feeling very inspired.<\/p>\n

Kirstie Chalmers-Rowe<\/p>\n

And Finally…..<\/h2>\n

Also, a big shout out from Paul to the Cooper’s, Webb’s and the Glos massive.\u00a0 Becks and I have been looking after the crew all day today \u2013 cooks and bottle washers.\u00a0 I seem to have found my niche, I am for sure a better cook than helm (though improving and loving steering by the stars which are incredible, particularly with no moon at present light!).<\/p>\n

Gary, Paul, Becks<\/p>\n

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

You may have missed being on the Challenger 2 competing in the\u00a0ARC Rally 2019<\/a> this year but if you fancy coming along\u00a0next year or one of our other offshore sailing trips have a look here\u00a0voyage across one of the world\u2019s oceans<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0start speaking to the team in the office. They can assess which Atlantic voyage will be good for you and, if you need it, what course would take you to that level.<\/p>\n

Fill in the form below and they will call you back.
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Talk to us about the next Atlantic Crossing<\/h2>\n
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