Jerry Freeman

Sunday 5th july

This must be day 11 of our trip from Newport RI
to Azores, prob Horta.

Last three days we have sailed in perfect flat blue sea, under blue sky
almost on course in very ligh SE breeze. making about 125 miles per day.

wonderful relaxing conditions.
reading too much , sleeping too much.
bacon sandwich for lunch yesterday,
beef curry,onions ,garlic and boiled pots for supper.

lunch today is fried pots and fried eggs.

Jbellio is in hot persuit, about 30 miles west
and Hannah white is near also, pure solo.
QII an Jbo have trackers.

We got away at 0620 local, no wind, motoring, viz about three miles.

You can follow our progress on
http://www.oceanracetrack.com/raceplayer/whereis.aspx?id=346

all the best

Sailors who have been inspired by this years race and the detailed reporting on BlogStar and who may be thinking about competing in the Ostar 2013 should not loose a moment in starting their preparations.

One of the first steps toward a successful campaign is to make contact with the present group of skippers to discuss the race and the potential pitfalls in detail. Four years is hardly long enough to put together a competitive and safe project.

The club is alive with senior members today,in preparation for the Texan grille nite! I had the great good fortune to meet George Pike, ex commodore NYC.

George is our link with the history of 4 great races, in the early 70's Jerry Cartwright completed the ostar and in subsequent discussion conceived the Bermuda 1-2 race, based in Goat island YC (GIYC).

Trying all the latest kit on the boat with my first ever email via a
satellite phone...

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The lesser spotted Ninjod was rumoured to be wintering on the Suffolk coast, this rare exotic migrant is seldom seen down south, prefering the muddy waters of the Thames Estuary and the North Sea to the gin clear Western Approaches.

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Tabarly's course, winner of the 1964 OSTAR. Click on image to view full screen

The North Atlantic is a physical oceanographer’s dream playground, all the toys are there to be measured, monitored and admired but sailing through it is a difficult task.

Jerry Freeman has completed the OSTAR in 1988 on Abacus and in 1992 on Alice's Mirror both times in 27 days.

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By Jerry Freeman

A few years ago I did what many sailors dream of doing; I turned her bow to the west and kept going, toward the setting sun and America.

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Bishop Rock Lighthouse

Article by Jerry Freeman

After the excitement of the start and the rounding of Eddystone Light house the skipper's pulse rate begins to fall and the fleet settles into a more orderly progress. The mass of spectator craft will have alreadythinned out and only the last few remain in sight as time pressures and sea state send them all scurrying back to Plymouth.

Traditionally the wind will increase and come on the nose as you round the rocks, requiring attention to trim and maybe the time to take the first reef of the trip?