Bypassing Norfolk Island
12 July 2010
UPDATE REPORT SEVEN - 12 JULY 2010
Name of Cadet Sending Message from Yacht
Leading Cadet Grace Winnington
Receivers of Message at Nelson
U/O Russell, Cadet Families and members of the Nelson Amateur Radio Club
Yacht Position
Lat. 30° 2' south Long. 168°29' east
Course
Heading 348 degrees true
Have sailed 778 nautical miles from Nelson
Speed
6 knots
Weather Conditions
2m NE swell (has been up to 3m) and 2m Southerly swell
Conditions on Board
One or two still feeling 'woozy'.
Highlights of the Day
Knowing they are over half way to Noumea.
Waves crashing on the boat ("a couple of splashes in the cockpit
but nothing too much on board" says Milo reassuringly). Happy to
say the cockpit drains dispatch the infrequent boardings very quickly.
Seeing an albatross.
Messages from Sail Blog
Zoe and James read out a total of 8 messages from the sailblogs
website to the crew. All the crew were thrilled to hear these
messages of support - thank you and please keep them coming.
In response to these, quote Milo: "There's a boat load of people
in the middle of the Pacific who feel loved."
Special message to Emma from Heidi who on cue said,
quote ... "woof, woof" (all those present at the broadcast
were impressed with Heidi's response).
Message from Milo Coldren
"Well, we still havent had any conditions suitable for bathing-
been 20-35 knot winds for the past couple of days. The cross
swell is making a few cadets queasy -but they're still standing
watches. Looks like we're going to have to miss Norfolk :(
Watching the weather looks like we're in for some NW if we
dont keep moving. That low we've been skirting behind now
has a storm warning on it, so I dont anticipate the swell
going down anytime soon. We are well away from the centre,
so just enjoying the SE wind it's leaving us.
The boat is sailing surprising well just under the blade,
and makes handling much easier than with a reefed main.
Also handles the gusts up to 40 really well without a hint
of being overpowered.
I am impressed with how well the cadets are steering the
boat in the cross seas - nothing huge, but still up to 3m NE
and 2m S. We are grateful for the way the seas have
increased gradually over the trip, giving cadets time to
develop their skills without being overwhelmed.
I was talking with Kathryn about sailing off Mexico with
her family 10 years ago, and how my wife had discovered
how to bake delicious scones while the galley was moving
around. Next thing I knew, Kathryn was dancing around
the galley whipping some up for the crew (who had been
just trying to find things to hold on to). We're going to
have to double her pay!
The boat is sailing wonderfully, and, while we're sad not
to stop at Norfolk Island, we're sure looking forward to
getting through the pass at New Caledonia!
Our ETA is Friday morning, all going well."
Apologies to the Sullivan family for not stopping at
Norfolk Island.
Enthusiastic family members (not forgetting Heidi)
took the opportunity to speak to their loved ones on board.