Despite the storm that wreaked havoc at the start of the 2014 Cape to Rio yacht race, participants seem to have settled into the race and have all reported fair sailing. According to the blog by participants on the JML Rotary Scout, with Mossel Bay crewman Marcus Farnham aboard, the crew have all settled into their routine. According to the Day 10 official results, the JML Scout was back in fourth position.
"On Tuesday, the wind dropped down to a frustrating five knots. We were now at 220 44' S and had moved west of the Greenwich meridian by 2 degrees and considering that Rio de Janeiro was at 220 51' S and 430 14' W, we were already just north of our destination but had about 2460 nautical miles west to travel to get there. We had already travelled 1450 nautical miles to date, giving us a total of 3910 miles," Grant Chapman said in the latest daily blog update.
According to Race Headquarters, impressive speeds and performances have been noted.
On board the JML Scout, Marcus had to fiddle with the Sailor Satellite Modem device network connection after it had disabled itself. After re-enabling it, the yacht was back on-line, receiving satellite e-mail communication and their all-important GRIB files again.
Fresh fish
In addition, Marcus was also instrumental in landing a fresh bluefin tuna, which ended up as fresh sushi for starters, followed by Cajun-style pan-seared tuna steaks, tailor made to each crew member's preference for the main course.
They have since joined the body of the fleet after initially keeping more to the north. This manoeuvre has cost them a few places in the handicap standings in Class 2, but they wanted to err on the side of caution and avoid the low pressure system below them.
On 11 January, a barnacle-encrusted trailing piece of heavy duty warp that had obviously come adrift from a commercial vessel, become entangled on their prop. This was removed and stowed, to be dispersed of safely when they make land again.
Blog
According to the JML Scout's regular blog on Saturday, 11 January, "The peace was broken when there was a yell from the cockpit for action stations as the spinnaker halyard had snapped and dropped the spinnaker in the sea. Fortunately, we managed to get the big bag on board in time before we ran over it and things became very messy and complicated. Losing the spinnaker halyard up the mast presented a challenge as the end was now sitting on top of the mast and only by going to the top of the mast would we be able to retrieve it.
"Marcus rose to the challenge and, secured in the boson's chair, was hoisted to the top of the mast, the poor chap clinging to the mast like a monkey, as the pendulum effect at the top of the mast created by the boat rocking in the swell was amplified the higher he went. It went without saying that our man in the 'crow's nest' returned to deck a lot quicker than he went up, jittering diplomatically about how it was an interesting new experience when he had both feet safely back on deck.
"The stitching on the halyard connection to the snap shackle had torn and was re-stitched more carefully this time, the bag was reattached and we hoisted it again."
On Day nine, Monday, 13 January, the JML Scout crossed the Greenwich Meridian at 06:33 UTC and; 'contrary to the opinion of one of the crew members, there was no bump as we went over the imaginary line'.
Marcus Farnham at the helm, with Cathleen Hughes assisting.
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