Swagman Log – Monday 13^th June 2005

Rally Portugal Leg 3 or 4 – Figueira da Foz to Peniche

The original leg 3 from Leixoes to Figueira was not given a start by Rally Control due to an anticipated lack of wind.   The fleet motor sailed the 65 miles direct to Figueira and so arrived in time for an evening sardine barbeque at the marina club.  Every one loved them.  I hate the boney little buggers.

But as a result of the lost leg, the whole fleet was keen to sail yesterdays 70 miles from Figueira to Peniche in a competitive spirit.  The forecast was for a light SW early on, and building to a stronger SW/W sea breeze later in the day.

We got a good start close to the committee boat at 1000 and in the light conditions found it tough to get away from under some of the normally heavier / slower bigger boats but who all carried genoas.  Our small self tacking gib is easy to use, but simply lacks any power in light airs.

Eventually and again in close company with our race mates – XII Bar Blues – we got ahead of the main pack.  Lots of them only saw out the required 10 minutes of mandatory sailing before starting up engines and heading direct for the destination, and about half the fleet seemed determined to do it under sail – ourselves included.

We spent a good hour match racing XII Bar Blues.  We got ahead, and at first crossing just sneaked in front.  On next crossing he got ahead – etc.  It was fun right up until the light airs got softer still - and we were being left behind as XII Bar Blues headed off towards the beach to try and find some of the promised sea breeze.  We went west and hoped it would get to us first.

Had a frustrating hour barely making 2 knots and getting slammed by the chop, but at least it firmed up my resolve to buy a genoa just as soon as I can get one made, and eventually it filled in as a F3 from the SW.

We were at last underway and chasing the fleet.  A majority were by now under motor, but the only one we wanted to peg back was our race mate.

Could not see XII Bar Blues so believed they had managed to do a horizon job on us – but as we settled into maximum speed mode (about 7 knots to windward) - we slowly saw boats re-appear from over the horizon one by one. Gerry did a lot of the helming and he really did get the best out of the boat – very skilled.  Getting him off the wheel was hard!

We caught up with the yachts in front and overtook all we caught – but no XII Bar Blues!  Where the devil was she?

By late afternoon as the sun began to slide down towards the horizon, the breeze swung further west.  When we were still 20 miles short of Cabo (Cape) Carvoeiro, under which the leg finish line at Peniche Harbour is snuggled, we realised then tacking could cease.  It seemed possible we could now make the cape just on starboard – and we just managed to do so.

Rally Control had advised this leg of the rally would close at 2100 – but luckily we shaved the cape (50 M off) and got over the line off the harbour mouth at 2022.

The bonus is that I believe we were the only yacht to sail the complete leg and not use our engine – and XII Bar Blues was behind us at the finish! 

Far from doing a horizon job – they had sat waiting for the breeze close to the beach – and we struck lucky to get what breeze there was earlier than they did.

A lazy day today in advance of next leg to Cascais tomorrow.  Fixed up the spinnaker brace stops / protectors – provisionally ordered a new genoa from Hanse chap in Portugal (provisional on them doing it in a week) – and did a food / booze shop in advance of Cascais.

Prize giving tonight so I’ll let you know how we got on later.

Cheers

JOHN