| At sea. Atlantic Rowing Challenge: American Fire anchors up at midnight |
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| Friday, 13 January 2006 | |
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Bill Butler: The mountainous waves out of the North plus sheer exhaustion forced us to anchor around midnight. After a full night's rest we got under way once again at 10 this morning. Emily strained her back slightly but still does her shift. We plan to adopt a conservative attitude, thus, like transatlantic solo sailor record holder Hugo Vilhen told us, "when it looks like sea anchor time, it's sea anchor time". FIRE fan Gretchen shot us a couple of messages 1)What have we learned about each other so far?? Ans: That we are great team mates. We have gone through some real intense moments through which we worked as one. and 2) Have you ever gotten so frustrated that you wanted to toss the other over the side? Ans: No. At least, not yet. Sarah Sarah's voice sounded like they had a tough night and day so far out in the North Atlantic. Conditions will remain about the same through the start of next week. The cold front (HI pressure system) that hit the US East coast days ago is working its way South and will no doubt generate a new oceanic wave system that will make for difficult rowing well into next week. They did not lose Latitude in the last day and with a wind shift to just a hair South of East forecast for this weekend, they should be able to stay on the track I plotted for them prior to their departure. The Woodvale Press sight reports injuries/lost oars on boats 5, 11, 16, 23 and 88. FIRE has done well though I keep nagging away every chance I get to akways prepare for the unexpected. Now to a FAQ.. What is a SEA ANCHOR??? A sea anchor is a piece of cloth much like a parachute. It's usually about 4 to 6 feet in diameter and the rope in its center is led back to FIRE. The drag from the 'chute holds the bow of FIRE into the oncoming seas. Going broadside makes for a possible roll over. KIDS: Let's work on a project with FIRE. Let's get Sarah and Emily more in tune with the stars. I have always found them super company during long lonely watches at sea. Each class should pick from their Astronomy Book 2 or 3 stars each day that would be almost overhead at their Longitude and have FIRE identify them. Suggestion: Start with POLARIS, the North Star. Then have them name the stars in the big dipper. Then work your way up straight overhead to the Archer, ORION. Have them name all its stars. Then find Sirius, which was the answer to one of the questions in yesterday's quiz. It's the brightest night star in the sky. They will only be able to see the brightest stars since the moon is filling. When is FULL MOON this month?? Bill Butler Shore Team American Fire Atlantic Challenge is crewed by Sarah Kessans and Emily Kohl from the USA http://www.americanfirerowing.com / Event website http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk |
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