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.