This is what it's all about.
94 hours since race start, and all to play for (almost). I said in my last
post that it finally felt like racing, and that has just risen to a new
level since then.
At one point last night, I counted no fewer than thirteen other boats
around us, including most of the Clipper fleet. Our duel with Seattle
continue, with us overtaking them and Mission. We worked hard on our trim
and sail changes, and it paid off. At the end of our four hours, Matt said
"You guys have smashed that watch," high praise from a skipper who isn't
shy about telling us when we aren't performing to his expectations and very
well received.
I woke this morning to a big sail change, taking down the Code 1, briefly
hoisting the Yankee 1 so we wouldn't run bare headed, then putting up the
Code 3, all really well executed. Even better, we were within two, maybe
three miles of spectacular cliff coastline of Tasmania, illuminated by the
golden light of sunrise, with the same (I assume) thirteen boats around,
now with their spinnakers showing instead of nav lights, and albatross
soaring all around. And the best thing, most of these boats were behind us!
It's continued like this through the day, with great weather, nip-and-tuck
sailing, and great execution of gybes and sail changes by the team. When we
went back from Code 3 to Code 1, we managed the full change in 4:20. Matt
had challenged us to do it in five minutes and afterward said he'd never
actually seen it done in under six.
We have under twenty miles until we round the waypoint, after which we
expect to be tacking up the Derwent(?) River to the finish line. We feel
we're pulling away from the boats behind us and maybe gaining on those in
front. A strong finish is in sight, but it's going to be very close and
there's still time for anything to happen.
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