It is almost time to say Good Bye as the crews of the Clipper Round the World Race 2019/20 after two years of sailing abstinent will head out to the Epic Leg crossing the Pacific. But let us go step by step.
In the last two weeks the skipper Dan and his first mate or to be correct his Additional Qualified Person Ineke and the crew prepared the boat. There was a deep, deep clean, repairs of equipment, rigg and sails to get „Black Betty ready. And since there was a 2 year pause everybody had to brought up to speed on maneuvers and procedures. So last week they were out there in the China Sea. And I was told by our team captain that it was awesome but hot, hot, hot. Yes Subic Bay is in the tropical conversion zone know for low winds and hot temperatures. and they enjoyed sailing and the area.
The training is about all emergency procedures like man over board, fire on board, engine failure, gas alarm and for sure very much needed storm procedures.
Also regular sailing tacking, kite sailing and the famous LeMAns start.
And after 5 days of training there was the well deserved jump into the ocean for a bath.
Back in the marina it is all about making final fixes to the boat and the equipment. And most importantly the boat will be filled up with water, diesel, emergency stock and food, food and food.
And now the crew is in bed. Dan and Ineke did the crew briefing today to get everybody tuned in for the epic leg. 6100 Nm in one go. Subic Bay to Seattle.
The schedule is line slipping at 12:00 tomorrow local time. That will be 4am GMT. This will be followed by two more training days, especially MOB procedure as this could be life saving in a dangerous situation. And on the 24th of March the fleet will start the race with a LeMans start.
What is ahead of them? The Pacific with its general current pattern. The will have to stay South of 45 degrees latitude between the longitude of 150 and 180 degrees.
The weather is expected to be quite interesting for the first days of racing.
The temperature forecast is not too bad.
And finally the sea state. Yeah, it will be perfect surfing conditions for the first week of sailing.
So all that is left for us now is to say Good Bye. Farewell WTC Logistic. Enjoy the epic ride across the greatest vastness on this planet. Sail safe, stick together as a strong crew, enjoy the leadership from Dan and Ineke. And finally sail fast keeping the boat just in one piece.
Joe Sails 