November 28
CO-C….No I don’t mean to be rude but CO-C pretty much sums up the last four days. You see CO-C is the third iteration in the design phase of our code zero. Typically, the CO-C is used in very light airs and that is exactly what we’ve experienced over the last few days. Nobody has hit the OO.OO jackpot on the log yet, but we’ve come pretty bloody close. These have been testing conditions by anybody’s standards and it is only now as we just start to move that I feel I can face the computer. Are we out of the Doldrums yet? “Who knows there is no wind the other side anyway, or so it
seems right now.
In every respect this has been a leg of contrasts, Southern Ocean in 4O knots, freezing temperatures and mountainous waves to the Indian Ocean, a sleeping giant with warm gentle summer breezes most days, but the threat of hurricanes and pirates just around the corner. Compared to the rest of my Volvo experience so far, the last few days have been very relaxed…there is only so much you can do in 2 to 4 knots after all!
It hasn’t all been plain sailing onboard Kosatka though. Along with our early keel issues we’ve had a lot of electrical problems which at their worst during our wetter phases, were resulting in electrical shocks all round. This certainly kept us on our toes from the galley to the wheel and especially the nav station…..not so cosy in there after all boys!
The latest set back onboard has been the total loss of one of our bottom dagger board bearings. We’ve no idea how this happened, Beno and I just discovered it during routine checks yesterday. The whole system is pretty complicated to say the least so I won’t try to explain it. But, basically, we were very lucky this didn’t result in a broken board and damage to the case. From now on we will have to very careful whilst we try to find a way to continue to use the board but with a limited range.
And, so to the performance this leg. Well our big break to the east hasn’t paid off just yet… as any ocean sailor knows the Doldrums are an area where tactical skill must be mixed with good fortune to achieve success. What looked so promising a few days ago has turned to …humh well CO-C. The only sail to get us out of here! The only consolation is that most of the fleet have experienced similar conditions most of the time too. However, from the fleet being bunched within less than a hundred miles, Ericsson 4 have disappeared over the horizon and our promising position has turned to last place. We still have some cards to play and the concentration and focus on deck is still total. Almost unbelievable dedication from all eleven crew….yes Mark does play his part by occasionally keeping quiet and allowing us to concentrate!!
The first part of this leg was fantastic and that is still fresh in my mind, hammering along at well over thirty knots in the pitch black, occasionally ‘dismounting’ in spectacular fashion, getting battered down the deck by breaking surf, feeling that huge addictive adrenalin surf as you get prepared for action down below before arriving on deck to face the elements…how I wish we were back there now. Passing the scoring gate in fourth was definitely the highlight of the race so far, and we will certainly take heart from that and push on through this seemingly impenetrable wall as we close on Cochin and all that India has to offer.
Wish us luck, the game is not up yet….and it looks set to continue for a while.
Cheers all , Nick
