Start of the race to Esbjerg

29 July 2014

Update by captain Maarten:
“For a long time we have been floating around the startline before the race even started. Because of the lack of wind they postponed the start for two hours and changed the route near the startline. No start from north to south, but south to north, then around a waypoint before turning south. The start of a race is always a great happening with a lot of ships close to eachother that all want to have the best starting position.
Our start was fine. We were over the line in good time and had chosen to be a bit east on the line, so we would not have to start on a running wind, but a bit higher, so we could have all sails full and make more speed. This worked well, only the wind turned to the west quicker then expected, so we had to drop the fore-course soon and immediately rebuild for close-hold sailing. Sadly, soon after that, the wind died out so we became a toy of the current pushing us north. Therefore our chances to round the first waypoint quickly were gone. Then the game of patience started, waiting for a bit of wind, trying to use that to the fullest and then waiting for the next. And all the time that current pushing us, and many others, further to the north. At the point that we were about to start the engine, because we were only cables away from the rocks, a little wind came up. Quickly trimming the sails, preparing to tack and there we went. We’re sailing again! But still there was that first waypoint and we were not going to make it this way. So we took down the squaresails and pinched it as high as we could. When we saw we were going to make it, we all were visibly releaved. After 14 hours in the race we finally made the first waypoint, even though that was only six miles from the starting line!!
Quickly the squaresails back up and the race is on! We’re trying to squeeze out every tenth of a knot and every degree of height. Now we hope the wind won’t start backing on us and that we’ll make the next waypoint. We’ll see.”