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  • posted : about 1 year ago Spirit of Bermuda is on her way Home!

    588529 Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Monday May 25th.
    28º16''N x 37º37''W
    COG 242ºT
    SOG 9 knots
    Force 4 SSE'ly, slight sea, overcast- Cumulus and alto cumulus.
    Barometer 1020.7mb and steady.

    Under full sail on a beam reach.

    Daily run since 1400 yesterday 140NM as the crow flies.

    1135NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    1415NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda

    Another night of light airs and shifting breezes taking us farther South than we'd like, and slowly at that, gybing back and forth. The crew has become very mindful of chafe in these light conditions - not only of canvas and cordage but also of crew members. It's nice to see kindness and consideration in these moments - this crew has become very good at looking after each other.

    The wind has veered a little this morning and freshened - once again we are making general progress toward Bermuda, if not directly. The approaching low seems to be weakening - we're hoping that we can pick up something from it's remnants in about a days time.

    Best to all
    Simon


    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Sunday May 24rd.
    29º21''N x 35º16''W
    COG 260ºT
    SOG 7 knots
    Force 4 SE'ly, slight sea, broken sky
    Barometer 1023.5mb and steady.

    Under full sail on a shallow broad reach.

    Daily run since 1400 yesterday 114NM rhumb line (163 miles traveled through water).

    893NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    1627NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda

    Happy Bermuda Day. Chef has made a big pot of Bermudian fish chowder and baked Johnny bread for lunch - we have Sheldon's Birthday cake for desert. We're continuing to make westing as best we can with our downwind tacking, mindful that the rest of the fleet is overhauling us by sailing downwind in straight lines - especially the square-rigged and spinnaker-rigged vessels. We're just happy to have our full fores'l set, with it's unorthodox but effective repairs. Patiently looking forward to the effects of the approaching low and breezes that cater more to Spirit's strengths. High spirits throughout the ship despite our drop in the standings - we have plenty of miles to make back what we lost while under-canvassed.

    Best to all
    Simon


    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Friday May 22th.
    29º30''N x 33º06''W
    COG 342ºT
    SOG 5.8 knots
    Force 3 ESE'ly, Confused sea, Overcast
    Barometer 1025mb and steady.

    Full Mizzen, Full Main, Single reefed Fore (under repair), Inner and Outer Jibs, close reach.

    Daily run since 1400 yesterday 143NM rhumb line.

    893NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    1627NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda

    It's no secret that Spirit of Bermuda does not like downwind sailing in a light breeze. Her loose-footed sails are not suited to it, collapsing toward the centreline. As the breeze weakened and veered to the east around the bottom of the high we have been striving to balance boat speed with Westward progress, towards the developing low. In a light and variable moment a relatively new helmsman managed to coax 7 knots of boat speed from 9 knots of true wind and all aboard are becoming more in tune with the subtleties of the ship and realizing that staying competitive lies in the details. Earlier the breeze failed completely and we spent hours listening to the sails loudly slatting back and forth, our speed less than half a knot. We poured a little Goslings over the side as an offering to Poseidon and within 15 minutes the winds returned.

    Best to all,
    Simon


    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Friday May 22th.
    28º24''N x 30º38''W
    COG 280ºT
    SOG 8.0 knots
    Force 4 NNE'ly, Confused sea, Broken sky

    Full Mizzen, Full Main, Single reefed Fore (under repair), Inner and Outer Jibs, beam reach.

    Daily run since 1400 yesterday 193NM rhumb line.

    745NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    1760NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda
    Repairs to our fores'l have continued throughout the day with most of the crew choosing to forego sleep when off watch in order to contribute - all the more when the word came over the radio that we had slipped to second position on corrected time. We're back to one reef now and hope to have the whole sail in service by noon tomorrow. The result is beautiful to behold if you like modern art and makes use of a lot of webbing, spectra braid, duct tape and a multiple sheeting system reminiscent of a Chinese Junk. We're proud of it and it's working.

    Best to all,
    Simon


    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Thursday May 21th.
    28º53''N x 27º00''W
    COG 250ºT
    SOG 8.5 knots
    Force 4 NNW'ly
    Reefed Mizzen, Single reefed Main, double reefed Fore, Inner and Outer Jibs, close reach.
    Daily run since 1400 yesterday 164NM rhumb line.
    580NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    1945NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda
    We were thundering along toward Bermuda last night at 12-13 knots, when our fores'l developed a 9' tear that extended from all the way through the foot to well above the first reef line. We are currently sailing with two reefs in the fore and have been managing to sustain 10 knots for the most part. We are currently improvising a repair that while ugly beyond words will enable us to spread more canvas as the winds go light. A longtail has been flying with us guiding us home, dolphins have been playing in our bow wave. A palpable surge of pride and excitement rippled throughout the ship as the word came over the radio that in addition to maintaining our overall lead in the fleet we had regained first position on corrected time. We have all worked hard for this.

    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Wednesday May 20th.

    30:07'N x 22:28'W
    Course Over Ground (COG) 320:T
    Speed Over Ground (SOG) 10.5 knots
    Force 6 (25-30 MPH) WxS'ly

    458NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    2065NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda

    Reefed Mizzen, Double reefed Main, reefed Fore, Inner and Outer Jibs, close hauled.

    Daily run since 1400 yesterday, 91NM rhumb line. Slow meandering days make us appreciate the fast ones!

    A day of extremes. Light and variable airs overnight, freshening around dawn. Brilliant sailing most of the morning. A tired, happy, salt-streaked crew worked hard to get Spirit to windward and position ourselves on the better side of the low. Lots of sail handling - reefing sails, shaking them out, tacking as the breeze shifted Expecting a favorable shift in the next six hours that we can ride for a few days.

    Slipped into second place on corrected time. Working hard to get the lead back.

    Best to all,
    Simon


    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Tuesday May 19th.
    29º46''N x 22º28'W
    COG 265ºT
    SOG 8.5 knots
    Force 3 NE'ly

    Daily run at since 1400 yesterday 201NM

    Midnight run 221NM

    Under full sail on a beam reach.

    360NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    2155NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda
    Shook out the reefs in the Main and Mizzen this morning. Steering to make westing as the breezes abate to place ourselves on the edge of a developing low and associated gale. Hope to be able to slingshot past the dead spot anticipated for about 4 days time. Crew morale exceedingly high.


    Best to all,
    Simon


    Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Monday May 18th.
    29º26''N x 18º29'W'W
    COG 280ºT
    SOG 10.5 knots
    Force 5-6 NE'ly

    Currently both jibs, Fores'l, reefed Main and MIzzen, sailing on a broad reach.

    160NM from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    2370NM from St Davids Light, Bermuda

    We had an incredible start doing 10 knots across the line, first to cross. We gybed over and headed North, close hauled, around the North of Tenerife where stronger winds were forecast. Several other vessels were talking of this, but they all opted to head south.

    Parted a clew pennant within the first five minutes of sailing, struck the main, repaired it, and set it again. Had a hard beat to weather to get round the North end of the island with shifting breezes - hopefully it will pay off. A new tear appeared in the fores'l overnight - we've repaired it and the patch seems to be holding for now.


    Best to all,
    Simon


    May 17, 2009
    Spirit Heads Home in Independent Start

    Today the historic Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge fleet departed Santa Cruz, Tenerife, in boisterous 22-25 knot northeasterly trade winds bound for Bermuda, 2,600 nautical miles to the west north west.. The Atlantic Challenge is in celebration of Bermuda's 400th Anniversary celebrations.

    Amongst the ships, appropriately, is Bermuda's purpose-built sail training vessel (STV) Spirit of Bermuda. Although other North American tall ships will join the fleet in Bermuda, Spirit is the only 'New World' vessel doing the Old World legs.

    SPIRIT won the Class B downwind start to the south which included the 360' Krustenstern and the Romanian Mircea. After crossing the starting line, however,SPIRIT flattened her sails onto the winds to go north over the top of Tenerife, the only boat to do so. See attached map of Tenerife.

    SPIRIT is meaning to take advantage of her windward ability in the shorter beat around the north point of Tenerife. The plan is make for a quicker convergence to the shortest course home ("the rhumb line"). The Atlantic high seas forecast is indicating that the Horse Latitudes( "the "doldrums"), that force sailing ships west of the rhumb line in search of wind, are not yet in place.

    Capt. Simon Colley will be navigating Spirit to attain her fastest points of sail forward of the beam with the winds around the edges (lines of isobar) of the Bermuda Azores High. Capt. Colley will try to avoid placing Spirit in tailwinds, particularly light winds.

    "Ancestral 'Mujans were more focused in getting "upwind" as a surprise tactic in attacking other ships. It seems they reckoned any fool can go downwind", quips Executive Director, Malcolm Kirkland. "Spirit has 112' of lateral sails on a 75' water line; she wants to attach the wind. Downwind her sails blanket each other".

    The student crew on board represent successive generations of young people.There are the high school students- Bermuda Institute's, Michael Byron (turning 16 today!), GED students- Vershon Simmons (16), Cam Joseph (17), Denzel Todd (18) and adventuresome Maine high school student, Annika Zayac (17)

    There are the college age students: Calum Kempe Morrison (18), Bermuda College Electronic student Darris Burchall (19), New England Tech marine engineering student, Glenn Walker (19), Jan Michael Robinson (21), Dylan Ward (23), and Lawson Williams (23),

    There are the mature students in David Goulbourne (44), SPIRIT's understudy engineer, and Derek Spalding (33), who both are intent in becoming world class mariners.

    In sail training tradition, three of SPIRIT's more mature crew have been exchanged with foreign vessels including the Russian Krustenstern, the Finnish Tecla and the French Naval vessel, Etoile.

    The life-long learner on board SPIRIT is plumber Gerald Smith (54). Mr. Smith owns a classic sailing vessel, but his main mission is going to sea with son Denzel.

    For those wishing to track the tall ships and receive reports about Spirit, go to www.sailtraininginternational.org, www.bermudasloop.org, www.worldregattas.com.

    For armchair navigators, there is a money prize contest to calculate/guesstimate how long it will take for Spirit to get to Bermuda. Deadline: Thursday, 1100hrs, May 20th. Go to www.bermudasloop.org.


    Yet Another Kind of Winning

    By Jack Morton

    Earlier I wrote of the joy and growth that comes of mixing with people
    of different ages and cultures at tall ship events. A variation on
    that theme comes of the new experiences trainees and crew have
    visiting different ports, apart from the marine community. The old
    cliché ‘Travel is so broadening’ became cliché because it’s true. The
    simple things of everyday life – eating out, buying souvenirs, finding
    a place to do your laundry – take on great novelty when you try to do
    them in a language you neither speak nor understand, talking with
    people whose customs differ from your own.

    In Spain, and the Canary Islands, for example, civilized people don’t
    have dinner until ten O’clock, which takes some adjusting for the six
    O’clock crowd. Opportunities for other kinds of new experiences
    present themselves as well. Today, a hearty band of nine of the crew
    from the Spirit went exploring the north shore of Tenerife, stopping
    at scenic overlooks, as all tourists are obliged to, but also seeing a
    tree thought to have started life 600 years before Bermuda was
    settled, visiting a butterfly farm, and the combination zoo, botanical
    garden and a dromedary ride that had us all in gales of laughter.

    Not really a tall ship event at all, of course, but one of the side
    benefits of traveling to faraway places, however achieved. After
    riding the ‘ship of the desert’, our crew are ready to hop aboard the
    ship they’ve become more familiar with for the homecoming leg Tenerife
    to Bermuda, starting this coming Sunday.


    May 11, 2009
    The Different Kinds of Winning

    By Jack Morton, Capt. Jack Morton

    Just calling moving from one place to another a race brings out a
    competitive spirit in most people, and certainly in sailors. We all
    think winning is better than second, and put forth our best efforts to
    sail the boat well, and fast. That spirit has certainly been part of
    the first leg of the Tall Ship Atlantic Challenge, from Vigo, Spain to
    Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. Downwind is not Spirit of Bermuda’s
    best point of sail, but we are proud of how well we have sailed the
    ship, and will take pride in whatever place that gives us in the
    rankings. Time correction factors are developed for each ship so that
    those that are older and slower are given advantage by a formula that
    tries to even the playing field. Often, boats that cross the line
    behind many of their peers have the honor and glory of winning by
    corrected times. Sailing well and fast enough to be declared champion
    is one kind of winning, and all of us in the race strive for it.

    Tall ship events offer other rewards, however. Crews of different
    nations, and ages, mix in port, watch out for each other during the
    race, and meet again in the next port to swap lies and sometimes the
    truth about how they all did.

    Spirit of Bermuda and her crew have been forming a special
    relationship with the Dutch navy ship, Urania, built partly from proximity
    – the chance happening of where we docked - but also from help
    offered and gratefully accepted, on both sides, and simple liking for
    each other. We met and enjoyed touring each other’s ships in Vigo,
    and made sort of general plans to do some sailing together in
    Tenerife. During the race, one of Spirit’s crew members developed an
    infection that caused some concern, and we consulted by radio with the
    doctor on board Urania, who prescribed a course of medication that
    successfully resolved her malady.

    Having made plans in Vigo to anchor near each other in Tenerife before
    going to dockside, we found a way to return the favor. When Urania
    had a small electrical fire at their windlass motor, instead of
    anchoring, they came alongside and asked if they might raft up to us.
    With a surge in the anchorage, both boats were rolling a bit, and the
    rafting was not something Captain Ferry Von Schoonhoven, of Urania,
    or I would have initially called for, but with lots of fenders and
    careful tending, it worked. Our engineers worked successfully with
    their crew, and got at least one of their windlasses working. While
    the boats were rafted, the crews mingled much more, and we made a plan
    for a joint dinner that was a huge success for all. On Sunday, we
    exchanged nine crew from each ship for some daysailing, adding to the
    bonds forming. I fully expect the relationship to grow and deepen in
    port calls to come.

    The memories and relationships that can build from experiences like
    these may endure a lifetime, long after elapsed and corrected times
    are forgotten. In this thoroughly non competitive way, we truly are
    all winners.


    May 9, 2009
    The Spirit of Bermuda Arrives in Tenerife
    By Lynn Fitzpatrick

    It was a race against the clock for the Spirit of Bermuda’s B watch. Awoken at 23:40 on Friday, May 9th, they climbed into their foul weather gear, grabbed their cups of coffee and safety harnesses and reported for their final watch during the first leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. They had over 40 nautical miles to tick off so that they could cross the finish line on their watch.

    The wind was blowing from the northeast and the Spirit had been moving along at about 9.5 knots at 210°. They knew that they needed to get another five percent of hull speed out of the Spirit in order to accomplish their goal. Upon adjusting the trim of the outer jib and the main sail, the Spirit’s speed surged a bit.

    Taking turns at bow watch, the team was accompanied by a clear sky, full moon and porpoises dancing in the bow wake. At 29 nautical miles out, they spotted the flashing light of the Roque Bermeo lighthouse off the starboard bow. Anticipation and excitement grew. The Spirit powered through the waves and started to overtake the low-lying clouds ahead of her.

    At 0300 Vershon Simmons, one of the Spirit’s best helmsmen, took the helm. The breeze was on and Simmons, who has logged thousands of miles aboard the Spirit of Bermuda, did is best to keep her performing to her targets. As the B watch’s witching hour came to a close and the finish line grew closer, Tenerife’s mountainous coastline could be distinguished from under the clouds. Hands were called on deck and all celebrated as Simmons steered The Spirit of Bermuda across the finish line at 0357.

    When asked what it felt like to be a Bermudian steering the Spirit of Bermuda across the finish line in the first leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009, the 16 year old said, “AWESOME.”

    After crossing the finish line, Captain Jack Morton instructed the crew to strike the outer jib and the main sail and the Spirit headed for the cover of Roque Bermejo at the northeast tip of Tenerife.

    The Spirit of Bermuda’s Crew: Captain Jack Morton, Johnnie O’Keefe, Colin Kinsella, Michael Byron, Matt Slover, Michael Scott, Daniel Keenan, Ruth Lynch-O’Kelly, Nova Ewers, Lynn Fitzpatrick, Denzel Todd, Warren ‘Shakir’ Foggo, Robbie Edwards, David Goulbourne, Cam Joseph, Vershon Simmons, Yannick Beauregard, Lawson Williams, Liz Chang, Jan-Michael Robinson, Mickey Berkeley.
    SPIRIT 'Lands' in Horta, Fayal, Azores

    After three days of good downwind sailing, SPIRIT and the fleet have been flirting with calm conditions a day until this morning.

    After probably 12 hours pretty much becalmed last night, we are moving nicely, on a direct close reach for the first time, toward the finish, at about 9 kts SOG. Anticipate arrival sometime tomorrow, and moving to anchor for field day and some R & R with another of the tall ships, Dutch Naval vessel Urania, and into Santa Cruz, probably the next day.

    Cameron Joseph turned 17 on the 2nd of May, and Yannick Beauregard turned 23 on the 7th. You know what that means, a birthday day baked by Chef Mike Scott.

    Best,
    Jack

    May 6- SPIRIT like to attack the wind like a wing and does not like to go downwind like a kite so the crew are gybing her downwind. She has clawed her back up the fleet and is now the vessel closest to the African coast. When the wind "backs" and "lightens", we hope you she be on a good attacking angle into Tenerife. She was 370 miles out at noon, today, May 6.
    ___________________________________________________________
    Life Aboard the Spirit of Bermuda
    By Lynn Fitzpatrick

    (May, 4) - The Spirit of Bermuda and her crew of 23 are a day out of Vigo, Spain on a broad reach toward Tenerife. The Spirit is bounding through a 20-foot mogul field of confused seas, yet everyone aboard is settling into daily life.

    Our Vigo send off was spectacular. Every floating vessel on the bay – powerboats, classic sail boats, fire boats even kayaks came out to swarm the Tall Ships parade route. The Kruzenshtern, the Russians Class A Tall Ship, led the way out of the harbor to her starting line, while the Spirit and a number of Spanish, French, German, English and Italian tall ships and modern training vessels headed south of a string of rugged islands that comprise a national park, for their start. As we made our final approach to the start, a pod of pilot whales came along side and gave us a show that had us all on the port rail hoping for more opportunities to see them breach.

    We quickly settled into our watch system and those who had the 2000 to 2400 watch were treated to one of the most amazing sunset on the watery globe. The square-rigged Kruzenshtern, flying all of her sails from her yardarms raced the orange orb of the sun setting on the horizon. Only a green flash would have made the sight more perfect.

    Twelve crew share the forward cabin and its two heads. There are times when whistles and snores rise above the sound of the waves crashing against the hull. The thing we look forward to the most, aside from the chef’s phenomenal salads, soups, pasta dishes, seafood and other epicurean delights, is our bunks. The fresh air and the sail changes take a lot out of us.

    So far, we have had many sail changes. We’ve reefed our main and reef one of our jibs, shaken out reefs and gybed. We’re watching the rest of the fleet and as far as we can tell, the Kruzenshtern and the yachts that are able to carry spinnakers favor the wind direction and the sea state more than the Spirit. The other thing that we are watching is our hull speed. An informal competition is budding among the different watches. Some claim to have seen the meter reach 11 knots. Just you wait until we get her going on a beam reach home to Bermuda. She is sure to clip along and a snappy pace back to her homecoming party.

    Cap't Jack Morton just called in - all is well on Spirit.

    Winds are NW 20-25 knots

    SPIRIT has covered 220 nm in first day and is currently sailing at just over 11kts jibing downwind. Several D class boats with spinnakers are ahead and the large Russian vessel Krustenstern, with 28 sails flying, is just in front of Spirit (sailing deep downwind). What a sight that must be! See attached photo from Parade of Sail yesterday morning.


    May 3, 2009

    This "best" for SPIRIT from Vigo to Tenerife was computed near the start time using SPIRIT's best angles of sail, wind, sea and current forecast.

    Similar to yesterday's in that the first two days in breeze are used to skirt some opposing current on day 2 and position for lighter breeze and positive current on day 3.

    If you want to see video dockside in Vigo, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6f2F2cQEBY

    The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge '09 starts on Sunday, May 3rd in Vigo, Spain. The fleet will head south to Tenerife and then west to Bermuda for the country's 400th birthday celebration.

    The Spirit of Bermuda is the only sail training vessel on the Old World side of the pond. Sail training vessels from many other nations including Russia, France and Great Britain will be racing her to Bermuda and other vessels from North and South America will converge on Hamilton in the beginning of June to join the Tall Ships Festival and the country's Anniversary celebrations.

    Saturday, April 25th
    Spirit is currently on approach to the Douro River and the City of Porto (Oporto).
    All well.

    Spirit's position at 1200 local (1900 Atlantic): Friday April 24th 40º05'N x 14º09'W COG 080ºT SOG 105 knots Force 5-6 NxW'ly

    Currently both jibs reefed Fore, Main and MIzzen, sailing full and bye.

    250NM from Porto

    Noon run 216NM

    Spirited sailing, expect to Arrive in Porto tomorrow afternoon.

    Best to all,
    Simon

    Spirit's position at 1300 local (1000 Atlantic): Wednesday April 22 39º21'N 18º38'W COG 070ºT SOG 9.5 knots Force 5-6 N'ly

    Currently both jibs, full fore, reefed Main and MIzzen, sailing full and bye.

    364NM from Pta Delgada, 442NM from Porto

    After a day and a half of motoring in light airs, this fresh northerly is a relief. Had more tuna tartare this morning from yesterday's 50 pounder and Chef still has two loins left in the freezer. Hoping for another bite on the line.

    Best to all,
    Simon

    Spirit's position at 1200 local (1000 Atlantic): Wednesday April 22 38º27'N 22º26'W COG 070ºT SOG 8 knots Force 1-2 SW'ly

    Motoring @ 1600 rpm.

    160NM from Pta Delgada, 650NM from Porto

    Beautiful sunny day. Landed a 50lb tuna this morning - Fresh sashimi, fresh tuna tatare on toast, tuna steaks for lunch. Celestial prac with all hands after lunch.

    Best to all,
    Simon

    Please insert the following in Google.
    http://videos.sapo.pt/vE45VUVV6M04jr3bDIaL

    At 1200 local time, April 14. Spirit was moored Starboard side to in the Horta Marina. Brass is gleaming, the hull is shiny and free of salt streaks and the crew look great in Marty's new shirts. We arrived 2300 last night and anchored out for the evening. 8 days and 20 hours after leaving Bermuda, with less than five hours engine time.
    We have already had one TV interview with myself and Brian (Bermudian 16yo, 2x times national Optimist champion, of Azorean origin) and the Mayor has extended an invitation. Considering this is the low-profile, impromptu port stop, I'm getting a taste for what Punta Delgada will be like.
    SOG 0.0 knots.
    Crew in high spirits.
    Simon


    EASTER Sunday
    Five a.m on Easter Monday the Spirit of Bermuda entered Azorean waters after a grueling sail.
    Currently she is 110 nautical miles from the port of Horta in Faial, Azores.
    The Atlantic crossing - the first the ship has undertaken - has taken
    8 days and five hours. The trip was scheduled to take 11 to 14 days but due to fair winds, excellent crew and Rock Island coffee the trip has been much shorter.
    A new record was set by the Spirt when she covered 265 nautical miles within 24 hours - a feat Captain Simon Colley and First Officer Johnny O'Keeffe described as personal bests on Tall Ship.
    Morale on the ship remains high and everyone is early awaiting the sight of land and exploring Bermudian and Azorean cultural ties.

    Spirit's position at 1200 local (1000 Atlantic): Sunday April 12th 39º 04''N 34º10'W COG 095ºT SOG 8 knots Force 3 -4 N x W'ly Both jibs, Full fore, single reefed Main, reefed Mizzen - occasional iron tops'l during the lulls.
    1540NM from Bermuda, 280NM from Horta.
    Midnight Run 209NM
    Beautiful sunny day. Had an emergency drill that became an Easter egg hunt.
    Best to all,
    Simon

    Spirit's position at 1200 local (1100 Atlantic): Good Friday April 10th 39º 55'N 43º41'W COG 091ºT SOG 10.5 knots Force 5 SxW'ly

    Inner Jib, single reefed fore, double reefed main, reefed Mizzen and large Outer jib; An unconventional but beautifully balanced sail plan for this Beaufort force and point of sail - apparent wind a little forward of the beam, with a low centre of effort and reduced heeling moment. Fast, with minimal heel.

    600NM from Saint Johns, 1105NM from Bermuda, 705NM from Horta.
    Midnight Run 206NM Continuing to outrun cold front, trying to ride it all the way to Azores by staying north.

    Chef making fish cakes and baking fresh Hot Cross Buns. Will endeavour to fly bermuda kites later today for some Easter tradition - some beautiful ones being made.
    Best to all,
    Simon