Bart Boosman - De Franschman

Last night was the toughest night of the whole race! At 9 in the evening (local time) I called the race committee that I was at that moment about 9 miles from the finish. And I told them that, ten minutes before, I was going at 6.5 knots but at the time of my call was only doing about 4, so wasn't sure when I would be there.

Shortly after my call the wind died completely. For hours on end, with the lights of Newport in the distance, I fiddled with all the sails I had, trying to get nearer.

After I crossed the Nantucket Shoals it became a glorious day! Cloudless sky, fresh wind and a completely flat sea, in the lee of the islands. And the boat roaring on at hull speed, a steady 7.5 knots. No Man's Land, the last obstacle before Brenton Reef (the entrance to Newport, and the finish line), is only 3 miles away. But now, early evening local time, the inevitable happens: the wind dies out again... And so goes my speed. But, even if we get completely becalmed tonight, Jurrien calculated that, to win from Dick on handicap, I have to finish within 20 hours and 8 minutes from him.

Jager has finished, well done!

But now it remains to me to finish in time to still beat him on handicap. In an ultimate effort to safe some distance I sailed right over the infamous Nantucket shoals. Having studied the charts, tidal information and the weather, I decided to enter the shoals at 4107N. There was only very little swell (otherwise I wouldn't have dared...), but the wind increased to some 12 to 14 knots, making me finally go fast again!

It's quite a nerve wrecking exercise!

Although technically speaking not becalmed, as there has been enough wind to keep the spinaker up and move the boat along at 3 or 4 miles, it certainly felt like it. I am supposed to be racing, and it is so annoying to go so slowly for such a long time.

Anyway, as we speak the wind is on the increase again, now around 10 knots. This makes me go along at 6 knots, and actually makes the boat heel a bit and feel lively, which is quite a relief! Let's only hope this wind lasts...

Bart

The good news is that, while I was doing this radio work, all of a sudden a large, orange, float came past at a distance of some 10 meters. Surprising, but good to see that I still have a substantial current from behind!

Bart

In the course of this morning the wind decreased... yet again... to under 10 knots. At the moment it's only 6 knots. It's clear that, at least for now, I am not able to keep up my 6 knot average.

Yesterday I was stuck, almost becalmed, in exactly the same place as Marco lost a whole day ruining his chances for a class win (although it ain't over till the fat lady sings...). These calms drive you mad, and there is so little you can do about it once you're in. Maybe we should leave a note on the chart to other sailors to warn them?

Anyhow, late last night, some wind came up. It's amazing how something as ordinary as a little wind can change one's mood! I started calculating (always on the optimistic side...), I only had to average 6 knots to finish before midnight tuesday...

And still no wind to speak of...
All day, the wind has been less then 5 knots, mostly dead behind. From dead ahead would have been worse, but otherwise these continuing calms almost make you long for a 30 knot beat! In a gale, you are at least going anywhere! All day we had no more than rippled patches in an oily sea, with a lazy swell to occasionally slam the sails against the mast.

I've had enough of this! If there only was some wind, I could finish this race within two days.