Latest news from the Vestas Sailrocket Team, who are running out of time on their final attempt at breaking the World Sailing Speed record. The record attempt period ends Thursday. The team are camped at Walvis Bay, in Namibia.
Paul Larsen reports:
The container is a hive of activity as we all get ready for a big day. the wind looks good and the tide is just floating the RIB. We will do a few trips to get everyone over.
A slightly odd overcast has come across from the inland side. I hope it doesn't hold the forecast back.
We have 18kg of water ballast in the bow and have trimmed the outboard beam flap to give more lift. Flying the outboard end is a safe mode to be in.
I hope to hell that we get our chance today. I want to finish this and end the roller-coaster of emotion that comes with each good forecast.
Gently, gently... one foot in front of the other... all the way to the summit.
... it may well all come together. The forecast is great for today so we will see what happens. In fact, the forecast is great for the next few days. The afternoon high tides are escaping us but we will work around that if need be.
The sun is shining and a lightish SW wind is already blowing. there was lightning in the sky last night and some punchy winds came through early in the morning. I got up and stood at the bathroom window for a while wondering if I should go and check the boat out... but I knew it was safe.
So all the team are here and we are ready for business. Our record attempt will be over next Thursday. These days all count. We need to be careful of every detail. We can't fumble the ball. If things do go wrong then we will need to act swiftly. I just feel that we will be pushed hard to the final whistle. It's all shaping up for a Grande Finale.
Yep, on a day just like this... a ripple might become a wave.
Well, looks like I'm set to stay on the rollercoaster. Mother Nature refused to come to the party today. The peak gust was a mere 22 knots meaning the best average was maybe 20 or a shade under.
We went, we saw... we hung around... and finally we conceded.
Very frustrating but in the end, there is nothing we can do about. We played our part... and we will again tomorrow. The forecast continues to suggest suitable winds... and Sunday is going to absolutely honk!
Sailing
