July 9 Roll Call & Wind Gods Deliver

by Charlotte Gann & Race Committee, July 9th, 2022

Wind! We have wind. And it’s behind us so we’re flying spinnakers. Last night there was champagne sailing with moon, wind, and stars. Didn’t last through the night but it’s a start. Lurline’s crew have decided it’s warm enough to put away their long winter underwear and begin to sport shorts. Phoenix spotted a fishnet and lots of garbage. There’d been a bit of garbage spotted but nothing like this. Red Sheilla bore east overnight to get into better wind and were spotted by Planet Express around midnight where the two buddy-boated for a few hours until Red Sheilla’s longer waterline length pushed her on ahead. Amun-Ra is having great success with tuna fishing and had another great lunch – ceviche today. Not to be outdone, Outbreak had their fresh caught tuna with lemon pepper. Millennium Seagull wants bigger blocks so they can get better purchase... Flow is loving the sailing and celebrating their solar panels charging the house batteries. Seems New Haven wants cocktails SOON – lamenting that it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Annie M is caught in the shark, SHark, SHARK syndrome and have had enough of the creatures – they’d like a swim/bath but not feeling confident about it just yet.

The wind is beginning to straighten up and fly right. For the foreseeable days, it’s looking like the trades are setting up and the spinnakers will get a regular workout. Happy happy.

Fishing is de rigueur now – some are having successful catches, others are towing the fishing gear behind, hoping for a feed soon. Not like they're starving, far from it, but fresh fish in one's belly within a couple of hours is such a treat.

Drones are now coming out on boats who have them and an operator. Amun-Ra reported a small hand injury (they’re okay) when retrieving the drone and will wear gloves for future forays. Planet Express tried to get their drone to photograph Red Sheilla when she was nearby but had to be content with a shot of themselves as Red Sheilla sailed away – see today’s cover photo.

Roll Call July 9 at noon HST from the fleet:

View All Articles