received 21.12.08 0642 GMT
We are having a proper yacht race on our hand, as we are in sight of the shoebox (PUMA) and Ericsson 3. We had a great battle with Puma in the last 24 hours. They were reeling us in during the daytime, but once it became dark, we got the upper hand again.
We have seen that a couple of times now. We seem to make our best gains in the hours of darkness. We had some amazing sailing last evening and night, the breeze increased from 10 knots to 22 in matter of minutes. All hands on deck to drop the light air sails and to get a jib and small staysail on. Since this wind change came so fast, none of us had their foul weather gear on, so in matter of seconds we were all soaked, as the boatspeed increased from 11 knots to around 20 knots. But, since the water temperature is nearly 30 degrees, nobody cared, we were all happy that we had good breeze, a gain, and could make some fast miles towards the barn. And above all, some guys needed badly a shower, so that solved that problem.
We sailed for hours neck and neck with Puma, only a couple of boat lengths separated us. A real shame that it was dark, as otherwise, it would have been an amazing sight. Then we slowly gained on them and we separated more and more.
We made a lucky call with a fishing boat; at least I assumed it was that type of boat, as they only displayed some very small white lights. Jordi (Jordi Calafat/ESP) was driving and asked me what I preferred, going to windward or to leeward. Then at the last minute, I saw a small light well to weather, presumably the end of fishing net, so called to go to leeward. We passed them within 30 metres, and they must have been wondering what the heck was flying past them, as there not that many fast sailing boats in this region.
Now it looks like the sea breeze is filling in, and it will become a gybing dual the rest of the day. It looks like not many miles to go, but everything can happen. One minute you think you are doing ok, and then a big wind change can reverse the order of ranking very quickly. Hopefully we get in tomorrow, so that on the 23rd I can go Christmas shopping for my girls. Gabri (Gabriele Olivo MCM) just reminded me of that ‘event’. These kinds of things are easy to forget when you are out on the water, as the commercial Christmas circus and media doesn't reach us out here.
First gybe is coming up in 10 minutes. We have some real estate in front of us, in the form of Malaysia.
Cheers,
Bouwe Bekking - skipper
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