British sailor Sam Davies is doing alright. She’s got sponsorship from Skandia, and she’s a thoroughbred in Ellen’s Offshore Challenges stable. And right now she’s racing solo across the Atlantic from St. Nazaire in France to Cienfuegos in Cuba. The race is called the Trophee BPE, and it’s a novel 4,265 mile track. The twelve skippers set sail on Sunday, and TWC will be following Sam, who is the only Anglo and one of two women in the race. Right now she’s in 5th, about a dozen miles from race leader Jeanne Gregoire (the other dame). Sam’s site can be found here, and it’s got all the usual Offshore Challenges bells and whistles, like an extensive photo gallery and an audio/visual page. The breeze is picking up now, but here’s Sam’s report after a slow night:
How do you manage to sleep in these light winds?
“It’s difficult to sleep in these conditions – spinnaker, genoa, tack, tack, jibe – tacking everything but the opposite way in the boat and every few minute the wind shifts around.”
When do you expect to see more breeze?
“I can see some horrible looking clouds ahead which hopefully will signify the beginning of the shift and the change to the north – but at the moment it is an Easterly which is not what was forecasted.”
How was your first night of freeze dried food?
“It wasn’t freeze dried, it was fresh pasta. Fresh pasta lasts for ages! I haven’t eaten very much so i think I’ve got enough for at least another 2 nights which is pretty good. For lunch I’ve got carrot salad and tomatoes, fresh aswell so I’m benefitting from the fresh food. It’s very important to be happy especially when it’s like this – when everythings pretty stressful and the sails are flapping around and there’s nothing you can do to make the boat go any faster. It’s good to make sure you’re happy and I’m happy so that’s good”
Yes, it’s good to be happy…and racing…and headed toward a tropical isle…
Delirious Davies: “Of course I’m happy. This is really gin…”
The Earthist Chronicles 