S/V Aphrodite

It is Friday, June 1st, and we have made it through the high winds and seas.  Everything is calming down and we are anticipating our arrival at the Azores.  We are still 500 miles out, so it won’t be for a few days, 3 probably.  We have been covering about 200 miles/24 hours.

Two days ago the lead boat dis-masted, leaving us in first place.  Not a desirable way to move into the lead.  We don’t know the details of the incidence, just that there were no injuries or damage to the hull of the boat.  The crew has jerry-rigged the rigging to allow the boat to continue sailing, albeit very slowly.  Everyone feels terrible for them, especially because they had not yet arrived into the area where the conditions are really treacherous.  All of the boats have had a difficult time.
The seas have been very erratic and steep.  Some of the waves we saw yesterday were totally awesome.  I always wish I could get pictures to post on the website.  Being in a catamaran, we do not get the rolling that the other boats get.  That is exhausting for the crew as everything inside the boat flys from one side of the boat to the other.  It is nearly impossible to make meals or even warm food up in a microwave.   We get josseled about, rendering grapefruit size bruises on me, but at least we
are not living on a constant tilt, love this catamaran!

Onward to the Azores.  I will let you know once we arrive.

love to all,

Jeri