LAT 51 54.7N
LON 002 16.6W
DTF 140nm
ETA 0001 21 JUL 12
SOG 8
COG 210
WEATHER WIND 066@12kts, Sea Slt, Swell Confuesd, Sky 5/8 Clst, Baro 1016
After a magnificent start from Denhelder Gold Coast Australia lead the fleet out of the harbour and into the north sea. The fleet soon split into two halves, three yachts including us going north, and the rest south.
By early evening the fleet had re-converged and Gold Coast Australia remained in the lead and were sailing well. As we neared the Traffic separation scheme the wind began to drop off, and the yachts behind caught up and overtook us to the north.
What was to follow was a number of hours of what must look like synchronised sailing on the yacht tracker with yachts tacking north and south against the tide, trapped between poor winds and a traffic separation scheme.
Finally Visit Finland caught up and overtook the fleet, brining with them the wind, and we were off and racing again. Gold Coast Australia has managed to increase our position to fourth place throughout the morning, but the light airs and strong tides makes difficult planning for navigation and tactics.