10 Jul Day Eight Update From The Transatlantic Race
We left Newport a week ago today in superb conditions and have really lucked out in that department ever since. We’ve had favorable winds and weather almost all the way but it appears that good fortune is about to change. With only three boats in front of us on the leader board we have a lot more to lose than gain, so you can be sure that everyone out here on the Oakcliff All-American Offshore team is working overtime.
Our day started in bright sunshine—a pleasant surprise—and 12 knots of wind; that held for most of the afternoon. We passed the German youth entry mid-morning, maybe five miles to leeward, and kept on trucking. At about 2:00 PM the clouds rolled in, the breeze began to ease and shift to the north, as was expected. In the last few hours it’s lightened still and we’re trudging along with the code-zero in about 7-10 knots of wind, and a big and very confused seaway. The going is now, officially, slow from here on in.
The high-pressure ridge to our east (er, above us), is no longer stationary and has started to move east with us, towards England. Not so great. Glass half full: it will be harder for our competitors to our east to punch through it’s eastern limits. I guess we’re all in here together! It’s going to be an ugly finish for a lot of us…
After yesterday’s difficult times, today was absolutely jovial in comparison. Lots of laughs, lots of energy, and it’s clear we’re all looking forward to putting our best efforts forward in the final stages of this memorable race. I found some time to get a quick little survey together of one-half the crew (the other half to follow tomorrow). Enjoy!
-Amory
Ben Quattramoni
Worst memory so far: Losing one boot while up the rig
Best memory so far: The start in Newport
Favorite meal: Alfredo with Tuna
Misses most: “Bagel Boys”
Day sailing or night sailing: I dig the night baby
Favorite piece of clothing: Gill Crosswind Pants, sleeping bag on the go
What’s next: Quick beer then the airport, sailing with Powerplay Racing
Do it again: “Only if there’s more breeze! In a heart beat.”
Dave R.
Worst memory so far: Drinking salt-water accidentally
Best memory so far: Ghost stories at night, in the fog
Favorite meal: Pasta primavera
Misses most: A fine lager
Day sailing or night sailing: Night
Favorite piece of clothing: Gill Bamboo Base layer shirt
What’s next: Hanging out in Gosport, finding that fine lager
Do it again: “Of course.”
Matt Noble
Worst memory so far: The god #*^% genoa-staysail halyard
Best memory so far: Sun!
Favorite meal: Pasta BNT (bac-un, noodle, tomato)
Misses most: Beer
Day sailing or night sailing: Night
Favorite piece of clothing: Boots
What’s next: Traveling Europe
Do it again: “Of course.”
Molly Robinson
Worst memory so far: Watching Ben Q. lose his boot
Best memory so far: The Pat Showell/Chris Welch brainwash sessions
Favorite meal: Chili mac
Misses most: Hot showers
Day sailing or night sailing: Day
Favorite piece of clothing: Red winter beanie hat, with ear fluffs
What’s next: Finding a pub in Gosport
Do it again: “Absolutely.”
Colin Orsini
Worst memory so far: Damage to his head, in the head
Best memory so far: Sailing at night with all of the phosphorescents
Favorite meal: Bare burrito
Misses most: Girl time (with his girl)
Day sailing or night sailing: Day
Favorite piece of clothing: His Le Chameau boots, the “Rolls Royce” of sea boots
What’s next: finding a really big English meal
Do it again: “Yes, please.”
Chris Welch
Worst memory so far: A head experience, undisclosed
Best memory so far: Posting (keeping) highest VMG average among AAOT helmsman
Favorite meal: Alfredo w/ Tuna.
Misses most: Girl time (with his girl)
Day sailing or night sailing: Night time is the right time.
Favorite piece of clothing: His Le Chameau boots, the “ferrari” of sea boots
What’s next: Straight home for RC44 sailing with Artemis
Do it again: “For sure.”
Pat Showell
Worst memory so far: One particularly painful jibe
Best memory so far: The start in Newport
Favorite meal: Alfredo w/ Tuna
Misses most: The Sun
Day sailing or night sailing: Day
Favorite piece of clothing: Warm jacket
What’s next: Traveling, going to London
Do it again: “Yeah”
Nate Fast
Worst memory so far: The chili bin incident.
Best memory so far: Sunny sailing, what little we’ve had
Favorite meal: Bare burrito (fresh, not old)
Misses most: More than 3 hours of sleep
Day sailing or night sailing: Night
Favorite piece of clothing: Gill neck/wrist gasketed smock
What’s next: Traveling to France and Denmark
Do it again: “Hell yeah.”