Leg 8 : race 13: day 1
Up at 8.30 showered packed and took bags to the boat. Met Lucie Colin Mel and Sean for breakfast then on the boat for 11. Had photos taken then slipped our lines at 1 for a parade of sail. It was lovely and sunny with big crowds to see us off. We motored out to the race start. I had a rest on my bunk as my shift will be 7-11pm and 7-11am each day.
Feeling nervous always do at race starts. I hope the North Sea isn't too rough !
Race start was at 6pm just off green castle. There were crowds of people watching all the boats hoisted their main sail, Yankee 1 and staysail. We sailed round in circles for a while until the horn went for the start.
We were first over the start line, then made our way to the marker which we had to go round. Lmax was the first to drop their staysail then hoist the code 1 spinnaker. Lmax and Derry got ahead along with garmin then we managed to catch up with them. It was a very close 4 hours all within metres of each other. We had spoken about changing our light weight sheets for the heavy weight as the wind had picked up but didn't get a chance to do this. Then just before we came off watch at 11pm the sheet snapped. Luckily we managed to keep the kite flying with the recovery line then took it down and hoisted the yankee1 and stay sail back up. It had been pouring with rain so got very wet. Our foulies are rubbish and would recommend dry suits
Came off deck just after 11pm. We have a new Chinese crew member John who has joined us and unfortunately was sea sick. The sea was getting choppier and I felt a little sick so went to lay down straight away on my bunk and took a kwells sickness tablet. Slept on and off for my 8 hours off
Miles 65 speed 5.2-11
Wind 4.23