Candyfloss clouds sail sedately across an innocent blue sky. Beneath them, Stargazer spreads her wings, to embrace a fair breeze, and saunters east.
Leaving Cherbourg as soon as the west going tide begins to slacken. Chasing down, and overhauling, a small white triangle ahead (Mid horizon. Right of mainsheet): Solo Sailor Petit Prince, according to AIS.
Out of the afternoon sun, a race training fleet swoops, from astern. Sailing higher and (much) faster, under balooning asymetrics.
One shaves Stargazer too close. The big kite backwinding, in our disturbed air, and winding itself around their forestay. Causing a wild broach. To avoid contact, Stargazer tacks off. Turning a full circle before resuming her course. Our would be assailants career off, into the Pointe de Barfleur overfalls, fighting to regain control.
Stargazer stands on for another couple of miles, goose-winged once more. Giving her skipper time to brew an equilibrium restoring pot of coffee. Before gybing, the tide now firmly in our favour, for a languid reach south, along the eastern shore of the Cotentin. The remainder of the race fleet passing, at a respectable distance, with friendly waves. Our joie de vivre revives as our passage making rhythm returns.
No comments:
Post a Comment