LAT 41 05.2S
LONG 29 24.9E
DTR 4090
ETA 1200 28 OCT 11
SKIPPERS BLOG
The past 24 hours has been the most frustrating of the race so far as
Goldcoast Australia has been laying still deprived of the wind in the
sails that give her life as she basically drifted paralysed at the mercy
of the Agulhas current with barely enough way to keep a course.
Team Goldcoast has been watching with anticipation the other yachts in the
fleet at each of the 6 hourly sked hoping that they too are becalmed but
also feeling the pain of the other teams’ frustration.
Not even the Albatrosses had enough wind to fly and their presence has
been missed. We have had guests to substitute the Albatross’ friendship
as some large mammals keep us company while becalmed. Goldcoast has been
surrounded by humpback whales singing and occasionally coming to the
surface to breathe. One of these massive beautiful creatures surfaced
right next to the helm, breathed to say hello and then slipped silently
back to the depths below to continue his journey.
At 0500z I awoke to a very welcome call to come on deck as the Yankee 1
was ready to be hoisted. The Albatross have rejoined us and Goldcoast
Australia is once again alive and in full flight, slicing her way through
the calm seas towards our homeland Australia. Wind sure is a beautiful
thing and the sea is looking like an ocean again. BT