Antigua Classic

the past two days has seen some great sailing and racing on the waters off Fallmouth Harbor, antigua.  Learned alot about offshore racing from the Captain Marty Halpern of the RUFFIAN.  Today was nice with great east wind and less waves.  It was alot warmer with the sun this time.  Tomorrow morning sailing for Nevis for some rest and recovery. 

pictures from regatta

The trip here was challenging (read uncomfortable) at least at first.  Mad the jump from Virgin Gorda first light hoping the wind, and waves, as predicted would moderate somewhere north of Saba.  Unfortunately it was 30 hours of big waves on the stern quarter and gusty 25 kt winds out of .....your guessed it!  the EAST.  We were south of the Saba bank when it finally clocked to the south east and we were able to have a more easy time of it.  The total trip to Antigua took around 48 hours.  We arrived right in the middle of the single hander race and it was quite a sight to see all thouse amazing rigs out there as if to greet us. 

Racing these past two days as seen some really awe inspiring sights, in the fresh trades and waves outside Falmouth Harbor.  The first days racing saw a major collision at one of the marks and another collision and partial dismasting on the second.  I've been crewing on a friends Sparkman and Stephens 34 foot sloop.  Wonderful sailor and the captain is first rate racer.  l'm learning alot about off shore racing. 

The host yacht club is very gracious and has been very generous with the food and rum, emphasis rum.  Racing starts early in the morning and I'm so exhausted wet and cold (yes you can get cold down here) by the afternoon, I'm passed out in my berth by 9.

Couldn't get an shots yesterday due to the condition but here are some pics from the first  and second day.

Mark

Antigua Classics

Monday April 12, 2010

Virgin Gorda, Spanish Bay.

After 5 mos of much anxious anticipation I am here staging (hopefully) for the passage to Antigua and the famous Classics Regatta.  My brother flew down a week ago, agreeing to crew, and to find out what its all about down here in the big C.  So far the trip has been characterized by the typical weather one encounters when sailing on a schedule.  Work and crew arrangements all conspired to make the Natie M. miss the perfect weather window i.e. north moderate winds with a gentle southerly swell.  Perfect, I thought watching some of the Coral Bay fleet depart under such perfect conditions.  Alas I am dealing with blowing snotty easterlies for the past week.  Greg and I barely made to it VG and have been anchored here while we wait for the things to calm down a bit.  Now it looks like we may have it in some 15-20 kt winds out of the NE, at least that is what is forcaste.  I'm hopefull, after a rollercoaster ride for the first 30 miles in my 30 foot boat, it will settle down a bit for the night passage.  If we can get to a point just to the north of Saba, we'll be in good position for a tack when the wind is supposed to go to the south east. BUT, most likely we'll be south of the Saba banks.  No matter, all the old salts have told me conditions moderate the further south you go. We'll see if I enjoy the beating more.