Well the waiting is definitely over the last few days since my last post have seen plenty of sailing and plenty of action. We managed to get in 6 run over the last 4 days having managed only 3 in the previous 3 weeks. Incredibly we have recorded speeds over 50 knots 5 times out of 9 but still no 500m average over 50.
A camera crew from France has been here for a few days as well as a reporter from ITV Meridian news who are doing a report most days at the moment.
Things got frantic on Sunday when a control line on the rig failed resulting in us losing control of the boat at the end of the run. Incredibly the rig sustained no damage after completing a tack and a gybe. Paul scrambled back in and now unable to de power the rig ended up sailing across the lagoon at almost 30knots knots in a large chop leaving us behind in the rib before somehow parking it on the beach right in front of the yacht club.
Today was probably the windiest I have seen in Walvis. We rushed out early to get a run in as the wind built. Paul picked a great line getting up to speed very cleanly allowing him to pick a great course. Everybody thought it was quick enough to be a record as it sped past very cleanly. Unfortunately although the peak speed was again over 50 but not over the speed set by Hydroptere and with an average of just over 49 we have sneaked past the windsurfers but a couple more knots needed to take top spot.
Two days tomorrows forecast for more wind and the last day no wind. Things are getting tight.
We’ve spent a few days waiting for the wind to arrive. Yesterday was meant to be a good day with a forecast of 26 knots. Everybody was very excited yesterday morning as we got ready to get a record. The boat was launched as soon as the tide was high enough but as we crossed the lagoon the wind wasn’t what it should have been. The wind peaked at about 20knots normally about 18-19 before it dropped off completely.
However we weren’t to worried there had been rain the night before so it was to be expected. However today it’s gone midday and a gentle breeze is still blowing from the north. So we think we are going to have another day of waiting but tomorrows forecast is still good. Only 6 days left after this and only a couple more days of wind forecast. It could all be so easy.
Well over half way through this record period now and we have had plenty to keep us busy. Having only just got the boat together and everything tweaked then on only the second run of the attempt Paul performed another spectacular back flip. I had a front row seat sitting in the rib near the end of the course waiting catch the boat at the end of the run. He came by at about 47 knots having slowed down from a peak of almost 53 earlier in the course. Then without warning the top the foil, that not only holds the boat from going sideways but also keeps the boat in the water, failed. Sailrocket launched into the air landing inverted. Thankfully Helen captured the whole thing on video from the timing hut although the on board camera recorded right up to the moment the bow begins to lift and then starts recording again when the whole thing is upside down. You can see it for your self here.
Obviously this kept everyone busy for the next week while we put the boat back together. Thankfully the damage wasn’t as bad as in previous crashes. Last time I was down most of the wings leading edge got smashed in. This time the worst damage was to the main flap. About three quarters of the flap had to be replaced and an almost new flap has been constructed. This time however we built twist into the flap so the ends match the end flaps which are set twisted for the wind shear. Hopefully sailrocket should be faster then before the crash with a few other aero mods.
Things have calmed doen a bit now as we wait for the wind to return in the next few days if the forecast is to be believed. We headed out to Dune 7 for a braai last night. I think that is the first time I left Walvis in over 3 weeks since we arrived. Sand dunes are a great way to get some exercise as the sand absorbs most of our energy as you try and clime. The fast you try and run the less efficient you are.
On the moth front i have taken back over from Jame Roach as fixtures secretary as he has too many work commitments to give the role enough attention so hopefully I should be able to get a grip on next years calender over the next few weeks.
I have a 3G thing for my laptop so I’m back online. We have been a bit busy down here the last few days and getting an internet connection wasn’t the highest priority but today the wing went on the boat so she is now all but ready to go sailing.
We stopped in Qatar on the way. When we got off the plane in Qatar it the heat was ridiculous and it wass only 5:30am. If it’s going to be anything like that for the Moth worlds next March then it is going to be a shock coming out of a UK winter.
The best thing about the flight was probably Pauls Atkins diet as he tries to save a bit of wheight in search of that extra knot. This meant he couldn’t eat large amounts of the food being served so I was getting double portions. Given we got served twice from Heathrow to Qatar and twice to Johannesberg and then again on route to Cape Town that all adds up to alot of eating. I suspect that then pasta before bording wasn’t required and the sushi between in between pasta and boarding certainly wasn’t.
We spent the night in Cape Town and went down to the water front to find some food. It would be nice to spend a bit more time there and see things in the day light.
When we got to Walvis the raft was almost exactly the same although they are building a new VIP section on the roof. The only down side was a 10% hike in the cost of bear coupled with the exchange rate means a pint of one the best largers I’ve ever had now costs almost one whole pound.
I’m heading back to Namibia tomorrow. Having left my job after more then 4 years. I went out there earlier in the year with Vestas Sail Rocket trying to break the world speed sailing record. Unfortunately we were plagued by light winds and didn’t manage to break the world record.
This time we will be hoping for more wind then we had at the recent open at Lymington. I think the club must be one of the friendliest I have been to and certainly the friendliest on the south coast. How many clubs great you with a bear when you get off the water. We didn’t sail on Saturday but we did just about get one race in the next day. When the wind died and the tide started to build I spent the last 30 minuets of the race within about 10 boat lengths of the windward mark. A few times I even got past the windward. Still it was enough for me to finally win a race at a moth event for the first time in Road Runner. It might have something to do with the new foils I got from Mike at Aardvark Racing.