GOLD COAST QIN-SAN 100600ZMAR SKED – EXTREME SAILING

LAT 32 30.5N
LONG 141 39.3E
DTF 4600
ETA 04 APR 2012

WEATHER WIND 330@40kts, Sea 4m Rough, Swell NE 4m, Sly O/C, Baro 1005.4

Its been a windy and extreme 24 hours for Gold Coast Australia as the winds have been averaging about 30kts. For the last 5 hours the winds have been averaging around 40kts, smashing along with three reefs in the mainsail, storm jib and staysail trying not to fall too far to the south as we pass the islands to the South East of Japan.

This morning the wind had a lot more west in it and we were making some great speeds of up to 20kts surfing down waves. As the day has worn on however the wind has shifted back to the north, and we have consequently had to sail tighter angles meaning a lot more heal on the boat, less speed, and uncomfortable living conditions.

A good example of how much water we are getting over the deck at the moment is that helmsman Dan Aspinial recently saw a fish fly past his face as a wave crashed over the deck. Unfortunately the fish was not caught on CCTV as the video was already being captured to record a recent sail change and the conditions we are currently experiencing.

Hopefully by the evening the wind will have begun to moderate and by morning we should have good winds again. Our biggest problem at the moment is that we are sailing at about the same speed as the low pressure system is moving, so it is staying with us for longer than usual. If we were going down wind this would be perfect, however with the wind blowing from its current direction at 30-40kts it may result in exciting sailing, but it is very uncomfortable and very hard work.