Galileo

[Galileo]

Friday
After a great downwind start at 1400hrs, we slowed down and watch the fleet pass us by at great speed. No amount of sail tweaking seemed to help. Stefano knew something was wrong, was very frustrated and searched to find the cause. Finally around 1530 hrs we noticed that a lobster buoy was snagged around the prop. When released our speed popped up. But we had lost a couple miles on the fleet and were taking up the rear!! Our speed down the bay going wing on wing moved up to 7-8 knots and we began catching up to the fleet.

By the time we rounded Sow & Pigs Reef off Cuttyhunk, Galileo was back with the pack of boats making good speed on the rhumb line to Bermuda. Someone noticed that the GPS was now predicting arrival in Bermuda Monday night!!!! But that was a bad omen because the wind completely died, boat speed went to nil and the current was sending us back to Cuttyhunk.

The entire fleet entered “happy hour” becalmed just off Nomans Land. It then turned into a lovely evening with 5 kt winds and a nice sunset. All the boats are visible but headed in whatever direction the wind allows them to go. At this speed we will now be lucky to make Bermuda by Wednesday night!!!!

Saturday
The wind has been virtually nothing all night. Great effort results in only 3 kts of boat speed which is often reduced by the current against us!!! But the sun was out all day, sunset was perfect for the second day in a row and we enjoyed beer, fine food and ice cream!! Lot’s of boats are drifting all around us day and night.

Sunday
Another beautiful day with very light winds and calm seas. Perfect cruising weather … but we are racing and struggling to keep the boat moving!! Boats are visible all around us. Amazing to see this many boats after 200 miles.

Saw a couple whales at daybreak. One too close for comfort!

At 0900 hrs we are still 60 miles from the gulfstream and expect to be in the stream tonight. Forecast is variable winds during the day increasing to 15-20 kts northwesterly tonight. Will be nice to see the wind!!