ARC Start Day 25th. November 2007
Posted at 7:38 AM, Sunday, November 25, 2007
Well start day has finally arrived.
Gerry was already awake when I got up at 0630 local time. Sues acting like a grown up and still asleep.
Only just getting light, and weathers as gusty as predicted. Clouds scudding over, boats all moving around with fenders squeaking - almost like they are anxious to be off.
I am.
Have had our last weather update from our private meteo guy and it looks like there will be some options to take which might divide the fleet. Good for us as my complaint over my handicap led to them increasing it to 1.090 - making us the smallest boat within the top handicap group A. Should have kep me mouth shut - but at least now we know who we have to beat and can focus on those fellow group A yachts. Will be tough - for example the Hanse 531 which is much bigger than us - has a handicap of 1.100.
Our choices on direction are the same as he first proposed. Go south from Gran Canaria and risk softening winds initially coming from N/NE bending then to easterlies - or cut the corner and turn south west once below the island to reach across through the wind shadows and get out further west before aiming south west for St. Lucia. He suggests this would be best -the ARC westher man giving advice to the whole fleet says go south. At least by breaking away and going a different way we'll create a chance to get up front. Time will tell.
It's looking as if it will be a good solid wind for most of the crossing. At this time there is a minor risk that a low pressure area currently 1000 miles west just might break up and turn into a circulatory low - which means it could develop into a small tropical storm. But that is a small risk - and it is a long way down the track - so we can worry about avoiding it (if it develops) as we get closer.
Winds off the start line look to be mid 20's - so no spinnaker start for us. We'll probably run down the side of the island using poled out genoa and ful main - it should give us legs and keep us well prepared for an increase up to 30 knots we expect to get when we reach an accelleration zone off the airport. About 90 minutes south from the start line.
We'll aim to ride out that zone reefing in some of the genoa if required to stay balanced, right until it expires about 10 / 20 miles south of Gran Canaria, and then turn westward to reach across the wind shadow areas of both Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Hopefully by sun up tomorrow we'll be clearing that wind shadow and increasing our boat speed - hopefully..........
So that's it guys from this blog site until we get over to St Lucia. Remember - a summary report will be placed on the ARC site at www.worldcruising.com/arc, and emails can be sent to us on mgwv4(at)sailmail.com. Keeep em short and in plain text please - but love to hear from you.
Take Care
JOHN, SUE and GERRY
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Congratulations!!
Posted by Sylvia Perales at 11:50 PM, Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Hi John,I have been following your position on the ARC and I just read you have arrived! Congratulations!!
I am looking forward to read about your experience.
All the best,
Sylvia
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