A Big Update (sat phone)

Good morning Rona2 blog readers,
sorry for the delay in sending you all a decent update. We have had a great
couple of days. The journey down the river was long, arriving in an
anchorage
in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

We had a few final jobs to do Wednesday morning before heading to the start
line some 30 miles offshore. One of the jobs was to play man overboard with
a horseshoe lifering!! This suitably earned a crew member the D*#k of the
day
award!
The race start was delayed for two and a half hours due to light and
changeable winds. The class A start was spectacular, seeing 25 tall ships
cross the line within minutes of one another is amazing.
Class B started soon after (older ships with gaff rigged sails), then Rona 2
in Class C, we crossed the line at full pace, with number one genoa, full
main and mizzen.

In the light winds we made great progress on the classes ahead powering our
way through the fleet overtaking many of the square rigged vessels, some
great photos to follow cheering to the Russians on Kruzenshtern.

Soon a vicious rain squall swept across the fleet, which made the deck watch
question reality after a beautiful sunset. Rona2 approached the first way
point in the early hours of Thursday morning. Gybing onto Starboard, polling
out the headsail and launching the mizzen staysail. Flying down wind
touching 13 knots was a fantastic feeling. The stream of phosphorescence
made
Rona2 look like she was sailing on bubbles of light. The myriad of
navigation
lights made us realise how large the fleet was.

In the morning we gybed back onto port and reduced headsail as the wind
increased. The wind kept on increasing and Rona the Rocket was flying. Large
amounts of water across the deck, but truly brilliant sailing. The speed
competition between the watches was well underway. Eventually we had reduced
the sail plan to main with 2 reefs and stay sail, still hitting 13 knots of
boat speed, with a peak gust of 60 knots!!

Seasickness hit a few of the crew but most fought their way through it, in
true RSP spirit.

Friday morning sees Rona2 with 2 reefs in the main, yankee 1 and staysail,
power reaching, surfing down the now moderating sea at 12+ knots. Sun rise
was beautiful, a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have this
opportunity. Breakfast is being cleared up, heads and saloon being cleaned
whilst the on watch maintain lookout and drive the boat to her maximum
potential.

Now life is a little more comfortable we hope to update you soon. (Life is
Good)