Lat :46.51N
Lon :035.54W
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Match racing in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean
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Yessterday saw he beginning of a race in the race: I'm abeam of Banjaard, a 36' Swan manned by John Falla. John won the first round last night.
At 21:45, the Queen Mary, heading home, passed us by at 26 knots. We must be on the right route!
This morning the race started again and the issue of the second round remains quite uncertain. The west wind, blowing at 10 knots, is very unstable.
Depending on the sudden shifts and on the chosen tack, each boat alternatively takes the lead. All that's very nice, and it seems we're racing in the Bay
of Quiberon.
It's grey, a mere 14°C, and last night, when I had to maneuver to change jibs the water was not too warm. The westerly winds are coming directly from
Newfoundland, and iceberg fields are only 200 miles ahead. As soon as I have the opportunity, I will try to bear south to avoid the Great Banks. This
virtual mark — still 600 miles ahead— will mean the end of the second third of the race and the beginning of the sprint along the US coasts.
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Lovely to read that you saw
Lovely to read that you saw the Queen Mary pass you at 26 knots. What did she look like? I was onboard at the time, busy following the four hourly tracks of the OSTAR positions and comparing them to the Queen Mary's speed, course and position and then rushing out on deck every few hours when I thought we might be near a yacht, with binoculars and camera. Unfortunately I missed you all, that ocean is a very big place! I told the first officer that we were passing through the OSTAR race and to keep a good lookout - he had no idea about the race! I wish you well. With kind regards, Gordon Chesterman