16 Aug Race Blog – 17:30 August 16
Ben Quatromoni
Fleece layers. Check. Dry socks. Check. Spray pants. Check.Spray top or Gill Race Smock? Hmmmmm…. These are the checklists and mental conundrums I go through every four hours here on the goodship Vanquish. Life on the front of the boat usually requires a more substantial clothing choice, but for the past four hours it has been nothing but fleece pants, top, and boots! It has been one of the only times the boat has been dry all race. Our intrepid skipper Charlie refuses to wear anything else except his loyal Crocs and Red Sox baseball hat. Such is life aboard our fine vessel. So with about 50 miles to go and the A2 spinnaker up, we are scorching towards the finish at 11-13 knots. Hopefully our free pallet of beer awaits in Plymouth.
After sailing 5,000 miles plus with these sailors, 50 miles are all that remain. From figuring out names, to surviving a harrowing Fastnet Rock rounding, we have done it all. As I prepare to hop into my nice wet bunk above a pleasantly snoring “Johnny B.A.P,” I think back on our previous adventures and look forward to the next Oakcliff AAOT lalapalooza!