The calm and gentle 40's!!!

So, Leg 3 of the race is done and I can't believe its going so quickly! We've now sailed all the way from Hull in the UK over to Geraldton in Australia, covering circa 14,500 miles in the process! This leg of the race though didn't quite live up to the expectation!!

When I originally signed up for the Clippers race it was only to this leg, across the infamous Southern Ocean. The reason I signed up is because of all the oceans the race crosses this one had the potential to be very very quick downwind sailing with some big seas and big waves! However, despite diving well into the Roaring Forties, going down as low as nearly 44 degrees South, the strongest winds we saw were sailing on the final day directly into Geraldton!!!

So, 4,400 miles away and nearly 4 weeks before in Cape Town we had the most interesting start and hardest 24hrs of sailing we've done so far. With the count down to the start in full swing the wind was easily hitting 30 knots, calling for reefs in the main and the smaller headsails. Whilst all this activity was going on we had to think about getting our start-line approach right. Whilst on the foredeck I heard what I thought was the cannon firing from Cape Town yacht club to signify the 10 minute start gun. It was only when I looked up I realised that Cork had collided full on into the side of Hull and Humber right on the way up to the start line!!!! Fortunately no one was hurt but both boats were seriously damaged and headed straight back into Cape Town. Cork cracked the front of the hull open, right down the bow, but Hull and Humbers damage was far worse, requiring some serious work to repair a huge hole in the side of their hull. It was worrying to think this could be anyone of us as we're all so close sometimes at the start line. Our thoughts soon turned to racing though and the remaining 8 of us were off to Australia...

Only an hour later we were caught entirely in the wind shadow of table mountain and were doing exactly zero knots with the windseeker sail up. In only another hours time we were back to 30 knots of wind as we came out from behind the mountain. In the dead of night it was a shock to all of us and the hardest watch i've done. Changing sails in a pair of shorts getting hammered by waves over the bow was fun - in retrospect!!!

So it was not long before we were all back into the swing of things on the boat - we're all getting used to it quicker and quicker after each stop over which is good. Again there wasn't much option with this leg for tactical options, so most of the boats were closely placed for the first week, only after that did we begin to spread out a little. We were consistently in the top half of the pack which was good but most of the crew, myself included were a little disappointed that being well away from the coast of Africa now and making a significant dive south, that we weren't experiencing some tougher conditions. Personally I was of the opinion that you never wish for horrific weather but if ever we were going to get some we were all ready and in the right frame of mind to deal with it.

An added bonus on this leg was having the camera man on board from North One TV studios. We had cameras set up all over the boat and were regularly giving interviews about our experiences so far which was really good, and exciting as well to think that the end programme will be going out to over 60 countries around the world.

And so it was that the supposed 'roaring' forties lulled us right into a false sense of security. We had been sailing consistently under spinnaker for almost 24 hours, just north of the Kergulen islands when I was coming out on watch for my six hour day shift. Pete our skipper fortunately was helming at the time the wind went from around 10 to nearly 35 knots. The spinnaker was way too much and we would have to act super quickly to get out of this situation safely. Before we'd even moved though the boat broached, lying sideways in the water with most of the boom in the water and the end of the mast only a few feet off the surface. The wind was howling, the sails were flogging themselves to the point of ripping, especially the spinnaker and everyone was hanging on to whatever they could wondering if Jamaica would flip back up. Fortunately she levelled out but only for a minute before Pete shouted 'All hands on deck' as we broached for a second and third time.

Its scary when the boat broaches - i've read about this so many times in all kinds of books and magazines but when its actually happening it makes you realise how powerful the boats are in too much wind! In the midst of a near deafening sound from the sails and everyone trying to shout above the noise the spinnaker pole was released forwards. A huge 20 foot metal pole snapped like a match stick against the inner forestay. The halyards for the spinnaker were then cut in an attempt to get the sail down as quickly as possibly, but it was too late. The sail was ripped nearly clean in two with the space of about 5 minutes as we tried desperately to get it back on board - not an easy task when the majority of it is now 50 feet behind the boat, in the water and the boat is heeled right over and still travelling at 10 knots!!!

Anyway, eventually we got the sail back on board, lowered our shattered spinnaker pole and cleared away all the snapped and cut lines. It was our most 'out of control' moment so far on the race and not one any of us would wish to repeat, especially considering we will most likely lose a hard earned point in the overall race for the damage.

Following a de-brief from Pete and a bit of a re-group we focused on trying to regain some positions as we were not approaching the last 1500 miles and lying in 7th place. The wind was fairly consistent and for the first time in almost a week it was in the perfect direction that we could steer a course almost directly to Geraldton. Whilst we were all excited about sailing quickly towards Australia (most of us onboard were very keen to get there by now!) it was not lost on us that all of the other boats were experiencing similar weather, and so our position wasn't changing. Our only hope lay in a huge high pressure system that was building up between us and the coast of Australia. With around 750 miles to go the boats in front of us, slowly but surely, one by one, ground to an absolutely halt. This would allow all 8 of us a second bite at the cherry and would bunch us right up for an exciting finish into Geraldton.

Not surprisingly several of the boats played their stealth cards. Whilst in 4th place on a good run, we were very confident that we were coming close to overtaking Cape Breton Island, only to find that on getting the next position report in, they had entered their 24hr period of stealth. Having come back from 7th place we were desperate to get a podium place and so the mood on board was so anxious at this time. Unfortunately Team Finland and Spirit of Australia were too far ahead at this time for us to seriously challenge them, but we would do all that we could to get the remaining podium spot.

And so as we entered our last day of sailing Cape Breton popped out of Stealth only 2 miles behind us!!! It was great to be in third but we would have to sail well and sail hard to keep our lead. In the end, as we arrived into Geraldton, with nearly 40 knots of wind, and after 4400 miles of sailing, the top 8 boats were separated by only 6 hours. Fortunately we hald on to our third place which we had worked so hard for!!! It was a truly nail biting finish and it was a shame that Cork and Hull and Humber could not have been part of it. I suppose though it is a benefit for us in the overall standings, although Hull and Humber at least are likely to be given a points redress and so may move up the field.

And so, after and eventful, but somewhat unfulfilling Southern Ocean leg on the whole, we're all relaxing now, enjoying time in Australia for Christmas and New Year. Its nice to be away from the boats for a while, especially as I am seeing family and my girlfriend this stop over for the first time since the race start.

A full set of photos will be uploaded before I leave Geraldton, including those from leg 2!!!

Happy Christmas and New year to all!!!