Day 10 Report 1

Saturday, July 11th, 05:06 am

I am washed up by the fatigue and the rain. Bob, Chris, Rossi, JP and I
were on deck when a big squall covered us. It started at around midnight
after watch captains and Rossi decided to jibe in front of a squall.
Then few minutes later the wind hit the upper twenties and was very
puffy. After about 40 minutes I relayed Chris at the helm, winds still
in the upper twenties, boat speed locked between 15 and 21 knots.
Buckets of water started to fall on us … the boat and the team on deck
is fully washed. We were just missing the soap! Never the less, tense
moment, after 40 minutes, it was like I had roots that had grown under
my feet, and my eyes could see only numbers of the true wind angle I was
driving at. My brain is about to shut down and my banc is calling me. It
feels good to hear the boat going fast after an afternoon rather slow.

JB
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I suis lessive par la fatigue et la pluie. Bob, Chris, Rossi, JP et moi
meme etions sur le pont lorsqu'un gros grain nous a recouvert. Ca a
commence vers minuit apres que les chefs de quart et Rossi aient decides
d'empanner devant le grain. Quelques minutes plus tard le vent
atteignait 28 noeuds et n'etait pas tres stable en direction. Apres 40
minutes je remplace Chris a la barre. Le vent toujours autours de 27
noeuds, vitesse du bateau blockee entre 15 et 21 noeuds. Des seaux d'eau
ont commences a nous tomber dessus .. le bateau et l'equipage sur le
pont ont ete bien rinces. Il nous manquait juste le savon! Intense
moment, et un peu stressant, apres 40 minutes, c'etait comme si j'avais
des racines qui avaient pousser sous les pieds, et mes yeux voyaient
defiller les chiffres du "true wind angle" auquel je conduisais. Mon
cerveau est sur le point de s'eteindre et j'entend ma bannette
m'appeller. Il est bon de sentir le bateau avancer rapidement apres une
apres-midi plutot calme.

A+ JB