6:08 PM Sun 21 Mar 2010 GMT
The Pacific Ocean is providing proof, if proof were needed, that you disrespect Mother Nature at your peril. The forecast deep low pressure system has reached the fleet and winds of more than 50 knots are producing some very challenging conditions for the teams, most of whom are sailing under bare poles - that is, with no sails - and are still making fast progress towards San Francisco.
Cape Breton Island's skipper, Jan Ridd, reports, 'We are well in the storm now. Earlier this morning we saw the wind build and we quickly dropped sails and set up the Big Blue Canoe as safely as possible to weather out the strong winds and high seas. We have spent the rest of the day making steady progress east towards San Francisco with waves regularly breaking on the deck, washing the on watch off their seats in the cockpit and causing their lifejackets to auto inflate. We are making double sure that everyone is clipped on before leaving the safety of below decks and at all times when on deck.
'The sea is awe inspiring as the wind has whipped it into a boiling frenzy of white water with waves more than five metres high breaking all around us and on top of us. One particularly large wave reared up behind us whilst Shannon was at the helm. As the stern rose up the face of the wave the top literally broke into the cockpit of our boat, burying her under water whilst at the same time giving us the extra push to send us flying down the face of the wave. All credit to Shannon, she held the helm steady and kept the boat pointing down the face of the wave resulting in the boat surfing at an incredible speed!'
Jan says the wind is in the region of 45 to 50 knots, gusting even higher.
'We are now preparing for a night in the heavy weather with the added danger of not being able to see the waves coming,' he continues. 'We will have to be strict about who is allowed to helm tonight as any mistake results in the boat sliding sideways down a face of wave and ending up with the decks awash. Later tomorrow should see the worst of this storm pass and we can hoist sails again and start getting back on course for San Francisco.'
All of the yachts have changed their heading slightly to try to avoid the worst of the storm. California's skipper, Pete Rollason, says, 'We are sailing along with just the storm jib up and making good speed roughly on our desired course so all is not too bad. The deck is frequently awash with waves, one or two knocking the helmsman clean off their feet. The wind chill is bitter and the boat is like a cork bobbing around so speed is not easy. It is forecast to start easing down in 24 hours so we will continue to ride it out, while preserving crew and equipment so that we are all set for a hard push for home when this system has cleared.'
Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, well past the half way mark in their journey now, will have to postpone the celebrations having heard the news of the Scotland rugby team's victory in the Six Nations competition yesterday until the weather allows - but when it does they have a number of other milestones to be proud of as well, as skipper Matt Pike writes this morning.
'Forward through the International Date Line at 11 knots then straight back 24 hours - time travel Edinburgh Inspiring Capital style!' he says. 'No time for celebration yet as the North Pacific lives up to its reputation. Hail, snow and driving rain do their best to dampen the spirit on the big purple beastie, but they haven't succeeded yet! Scoring gate done, date line done and now it's full focus for the finish line and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge.'
Hull & Humber and Spirit of Australia are also back in the western hemisphere and chose to mark the occasion together as they cross off the miles toward their goal.
Skipper Brendan Hall says, 'Last night, the two fun loving crews of Spirit of Australia and Hull & Humber crossed the International Date Line together. To celebrate, we had organised a two-boat version of the popular TV show, Blind Date, which we played out over the VHF radio. Contestants were chosen from both boats and the questions, while nautically themed, were just as juicy and innuendo-laden as the real show. It was a fantastic hour's fun and reminded us of the fun you can have when two boats are sailing in company. The contestants and their chosen 'dates' will be meeting for the first time in San Francisco, so who knows what will happen!'
The challenges that this weather throws up are many and varied and on board Qingdao their computer keyboard, which was swamped by a wave that found its way down the companion way, now adds additional letters and symbols when the 'a', 'c' and space bar keys are struck, all of which makes this morning's report from skipper Chris Stanmore-Major (CXZASDM instead of his usual CSM sign-off) a little strange-looking, but not indecipherable!
Once the random letters have been removed news from Qingdao is good. Chris says, 'We are doing well out here. Our helming is getting slick in the difficult conditions and we are making good use of the big seas to project ourselves towards California. It is, though, like being a hamster in a wheel at times - you know the bit when the wheel starts going faster than the hamster and the poor little chap starts going round and round on his back!
'Large waves pop up from nowhere, sweeping the deck with thousands of litres of water but we are undaunted for now. It's a big ride with some big grins and so far so good.'
Team Finland is approaching Yokahama in Japan where they will put in briefly to top up their fuel and fresh water tanks and take on extra containers of fresh water for the Pacific crossing. The crew has been working with the Clipper maintenance team and the manufacturer to diagnose a problem that has developed with their new water maker which was fitted and tested in Qingdao. The precautionary pit stop is a very minor diversion from their route and will not unduly delay the team's arrival in San Francisco where they will once again join the rest of the fleet.
The first yachts are due to arrive in San Francisco Marina between 1 and 4 April.
POSITIONS AT 1200 UTC, SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2010
1 Cape Breton Island DTF 1994
2 California DTF 2197 DTL +203
3 Uniquely Singapore DTF 2198 DTL +204
4 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 2242 DTL +248
5 Qingdao DTF 2377 DTL +383
6 Spirit of Australia DTF 2405 DTL +410
7 Hull & Humber DTF 2406 DTL +412
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 2546 DTL +551
9 Team Finland DTF 4633 DTL +2638
10 Cork Did not start
(DTF = Distance to Finish, DTL = Distance to Leader)
Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found at
www.clipperroundtheworld.com
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by Zoe Williamson
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Macquarie Island, TAS
Windsurfing - Boards
Foiling - Components (Wings,Masts,etc)
Kitesurfing - Kites