Cabo de Sines - Lagos
The last leg of the ARC was one where we all wanted a good sail. Sadly there was little to no wind at all. We had 75 miles to go so it was an early start with engines on. Nick on Bolero tried to sail it and flogged around for about an hour in 4 knots of wind before finally giving up. I wanted to call them on the radio to find out if the crew had finally tied him to the mast for that was the theory on Sea Crusader. However we were not quick enough and the fleet were merciless, asking if Nick had bought any fuel since decimalisation.
After seven hours of motoring with no wind we were the first boat to approach Cape St Vincent and at four miles distance I could detect a breeze, however we were soon to make the turn and there was no point in putting up the kite and then pulling it down a few minutes later… We went forward and prepared the kite for the turn. As we rounded the headland up went the kite and off went the engine. Oh-oh the wind didn't quite make the turn and all of a sudden the kite went forward and we were expecting an imminent collapse. It held as did our breaths, unconventional I know but within one mile we would be at Sagres and would turn again and as we did so the sail filled we sheeted it in and off we shot at 9.2 knots - woo hoo!
What were Brizo doing? They were behind us doing 8.4knots, Michael is a nice chap but I still wanted to finish ahead if I could…The all of a sudden the wind picked up and we made a mad dash forward to snuff the sail. Out went the genoa… what are Brizo doing now? SC 8 Brizo 8.4, SC 7.5 Brizo 8, SC 8, Brizo 7.8 and on it went for twenty minutes, then we were doing 6.6knots and Brizo was doing 7. There was nothing for it up went the pink sail and what now? Brizo 7.2 SC 8.6 yes! We were off and they couldn't catch us!
As we approached Lagos we had to make another sixty degree turn towards the wind so the plan was in place. Ian and I would get the kite down as we make the turn and the jib would come out. I can see the finishing line and … there are a load of oppies on Starboard heading across our bow. It was Ok I found a way through and we were finished. The two Discoveries finishing first across the line in almost every leg, what a fantastic result.
Lagos is a funny place, it has a lovely marina and the most amazing boat yard. We took the boat in to be lifted for a new bow thruster to be fitted and they completed it within a few hours but they wouldn't re-launch us until Saturday at an unspecified time. Ian and Gwyn packed their bags and left on the bus. Tomorrow Graham and Ginny arrive, they have to stay one night in the shipyard as we can't sleep on board.
It was a good rally and I commend it to anyone coming this way. As soon as the boat is launched we plan to go to Faro and anchor and after that who knows? What we do know is however is it is down to us from here on in. To the Med and beyond…
After seven hours of motoring with no wind we were the first boat to approach Cape St Vincent and at four miles distance I could detect a breeze, however we were soon to make the turn and there was no point in putting up the kite and then pulling it down a few minutes later… We went forward and prepared the kite for the turn. As we rounded the headland up went the kite and off went the engine. Oh-oh the wind didn't quite make the turn and all of a sudden the kite went forward and we were expecting an imminent collapse. It held as did our breaths, unconventional I know but within one mile we would be at Sagres and would turn again and as we did so the sail filled we sheeted it in and off we shot at 9.2 knots - woo hoo!
What were Brizo doing? They were behind us doing 8.4knots, Michael is a nice chap but I still wanted to finish ahead if I could…The all of a sudden the wind picked up and we made a mad dash forward to snuff the sail. Out went the genoa… what are Brizo doing now? SC 8 Brizo 8.4, SC 7.5 Brizo 8, SC 8, Brizo 7.8 and on it went for twenty minutes, then we were doing 6.6knots and Brizo was doing 7. There was nothing for it up went the pink sail and what now? Brizo 7.2 SC 8.6 yes! We were off and they couldn't catch us!
As we approached Lagos we had to make another sixty degree turn towards the wind so the plan was in place. Ian and I would get the kite down as we make the turn and the jib would come out. I can see the finishing line and … there are a load of oppies on Starboard heading across our bow. It was Ok I found a way through and we were finished. The two Discoveries finishing first across the line in almost every leg, what a fantastic result.
Lagos is a funny place, it has a lovely marina and the most amazing boat yard. We took the boat in to be lifted for a new bow thruster to be fitted and they completed it within a few hours but they wouldn't re-launch us until Saturday at an unspecified time. Ian and Gwyn packed their bags and left on the bus. Tomorrow Graham and Ginny arrive, they have to stay one night in the shipyard as we can't sleep on board.
It was a good rally and I commend it to anyone coming this way. As soon as the boat is launched we plan to go to Faro and anchor and after that who knows? What we do know is however is it is down to us from here on in. To the Med and beyond…
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Cap St Vincent from the other side -
The free pool we only found about on our last day. -
Coppercoat again - Only three weeksd after being lifted in Plymouth.