Day Eight Update From The Transatlantic Race

Day Eight Update From The Transatlantic Race

We left Newport a week ago today in superb conditions and have really lucked out in that department ever since. We’ve had favorable winds and weather almost all the way but it appears that good fortune is about to change. With only three boats in front of us on the leader board we have a lot more to lose than gain, so you can be sure that everyone out here on the Oakcliff All-American Offshore team is working overtime.

Our day started in bright sunshine—a pleasant surprise—and 12 knots of wind; that held for most of the afternoon. We passed the German youth entry mid-morning, maybe five miles to leeward, and kept on trucking. At about 2:00 PM the clouds rolled in, the breeze began to ease and shift to the north, as was expected. In the last few hours it’s lightened still and we’re trudging along with the code-zero in about 7-10 knots of wind, and a big and very confused seaway. The going is now, officially, slow from here on in.

The high-pressure ridge to our east (er, above us), is no longer stationary and has started to move east with us, towards England. Not so great. Glass half full: it will be harder for our competitors to our east to punch through it’s eastern limits. I guess we’re all in here together! It’s going to be an ugly finish for a lot of us…

After yesterday’s difficult times, today was absolutely jovial in comparison. Lots of laughs, lots of energy, and it’s clear we’re all looking forward to putting our best efforts forward in the final stages of this memorable race. I found some time to get a quick little survey together of one-half the crew (the other half to follow tomorrow). Enjoy!

-Amory

 

Ben Quattramoni

Worst memory so far: Losing one boot while up the rig

Best memory so far: The start in Newport

Favorite meal: Alfredo with Tuna

Misses most: “Bagel Boys”

Day sailing or night sailing: I dig the night baby

Favorite piece of clothing: Gill Crosswind Pants, sleeping bag on the go

What’s next: Quick beer then the airport, sailing with Powerplay Racing

Do it again: “Only if there’s more breeze! In a heart beat.”

 

 

Dave R.

Worst memory so far: Drinking salt-water accidentally

Best memory so far: Ghost stories at night, in the fog

Favorite meal: Pasta primavera

Misses most: A fine lager

Day sailing or night sailing: Night

Favorite piece of clothing: Gill Bamboo Base layer shirt

What’s next: Hanging out in Gosport, finding that fine lager

Do it again: “Of course.”

 

 

Matt Noble

Worst memory so far: The god #*^% genoa-staysail halyard

Best memory so far: Sun!

Favorite meal: Pasta BNT (bac-un, noodle, tomato)

Misses most: Beer

Day sailing or night sailing: Night

Favorite piece of clothing: Boots

What’s next: Traveling Europe

Do it again: “Of course.”

 

 

Molly Robinson

Worst memory so far: Watching Ben Q. lose his boot

Best memory so far: The Pat Showell/Chris Welch brainwash sessions

Favorite meal: Chili mac

Misses most: Hot showers

Day sailing or night sailing: Day

Favorite piece of clothing: Red winter beanie hat, with ear fluffs

What’s next: Finding a pub in Gosport

Do it again: “Absolutely.”

 

 

Colin Orsini

Worst memory so far: Damage to his head, in the head

Best memory so far: Sailing at night with all of the phosphorescents

Favorite meal: Bare burrito

Misses most: Girl time (with his girl)

Day sailing or night sailing: Day

Favorite piece of clothing: His Le Chameau boots, the “Rolls Royce” of sea boots

What’s next: finding a really big English meal

Do it again: “Yes, please.”

 

 

Chris Welch

Worst memory so far: A head experience, undisclosed

Best memory so far: Posting (keeping) highest VMG average among AAOT helmsman

Favorite meal: Alfredo w/ Tuna.

Misses most: Girl time (with his girl)

Day sailing or night sailing: Night time is the right time.

Favorite piece of clothing: His Le Chameau boots, the “ferrari” of sea boots

What’s next: Straight home for RC44 sailing with Artemis

Do it again: “For sure.”

 

 

Pat Showell

Worst memory so far: One particularly painful jibe

Best memory so far: The start in Newport

Favorite meal: Alfredo w/ Tuna

Misses most: The Sun

Day sailing or night sailing: Day

Favorite piece of clothing: Warm jacket

What’s next: Traveling, going to London

Do it again: “Yeah”

 

 

Nate Fast

Worst memory so far: The chili bin incident.

Best memory so far: Sunny sailing, what little we’ve had

Favorite meal: Bare burrito (fresh, not old)

Misses most: More than 3 hours of sleep

Day sailing or night sailing: Night

Favorite piece of clothing: Gill neck/wrist gasketed smock

What’s next: Traveling to France and Denmark

Do it again: “Hell yeah.”