Reaching the Med!

Caribbean season has come to an end and we are now leaving for a new adventure in the mediterranean sea.

As soon as we left St Barth in the morning...

Wind was mounting from 12 to 30 kt, the sea was growing too and in the late afternoon we started surfing. We flew all night. No matter if raising the bow up and starting the surf is not easy on Cape Arrow, we’ve reached 23,8 kt top speed…what a thrill (312 miles in 24 hours)

This morning a cold front surprised us and after a quick jibe with 35kt and 5 meters wave we’ve steered our course through Horta Island...155 miles to the destination, only 180 more than the direct course!

These are the special moments that make me realise why I do it.

Every time, I ask myself what am I doing again in the middle of the sea concerned for the boat and the crew, then I stop and look around for a while…and I figure out that I know the answer: I’m lucky, I do what I love and I’m sailing with the best crew ever.

Mission accomplished!See you in St. Barth...

2 days  10 hours 53 minutes 4 seconds in real time: RORC Caribbean 600, the perfect race in terms of fun and competition is done!

Final position over all 12^th, 10^th in real time on the whole fleet of 60 yachts.

Everybody on board is smiling, happy, satisfied for the nearly 59 hours sailed together. We crossed the finish line on Wednesday 26 at 22:23 local time. Genoa is than furled, mainsail is dropped, and after few minutes Fabrizio is manoeuvring Cape Arrow back to her dock fighting with the lights on deck and ashore to  identify the approach channel to harbour. RORC warm welcome is stunning! 3 ladies with 2 cases of iced beers are waving at us from the dock, ready to shoot a picture with the RORC600 banner well at sight and careful to collect back Yellowbrick tracker, skipper declaration etc.

Roberta and Lana are ready to jump on board, just in time to join us for the next mission: now it is finally time to celebrate honouring our Russian guests tradition. Vodka is on the table and shots are drunk at the end of each speech done by Igor, Kirill, Andrea C., Fabrizio, Andrea M……I am afraid some of us do not exactly remember all the speeches! European crew is well represented by Carlos (Catalan!) in proving that we too can properly drink a shot of vodka from a glass sitting on the elbow. Couple of Italians try, but we must admit this discipline doesn’t see us among the favourites!!

Lorenzo Mazza  resumed this adventure in some words: “Having had the opportunity to live on board for the duration of the event, I can easily say how much I enjoyed it! Very easy and nice boat to sail, efficient and reliable with the systems”.

Congratulation to everybody. Thank you to everybody!

See you in  St. Barth on March 27^th where Cape Arrow will show again her racing aptitude on the Bucket Regatta!

Cape Arrow Crew

Reaching the finish line..

After leaving Montserrat to port, we headed to Guadeloupe. This call (by Francesco) proved to be quite effective and few competitors dared to do the same. Our aim was to approach Guadeloupe island quite wide to avoid getting stuck into this big island wind shadow.  Navigation brief of Sunday, our purposes, our ideas were all right and clear in avoiding getting stuck in a no wind zone. No wonder: we found us at 0.00 kts with staysail deployed and wind seeker celebrating any speed above 0.2 kts. Around us a couple of yachts more ashore and farther away alternated accelerations and stops. Fighting to leave the no wind zone, regretting the lack of land breeze (not available in the Caribbean due to the little difference in temperature between the land and the sea), everybody started wondering if we should have passed more ashore or farther away. Land was well lighted by many spots, while stars were still very visible: I had the strong feeling they were enjoying the view of these 50 yachts, at least 500 crews playing with sails, rudders, instruments for hours to cross this tricky couple of miles.

It took us about 1 hour and a half to start sailing fast again. It could have been much worst. It was good for the crews off-watch who  could enjoy a flat yacht for a while.

Good fun again sailing upwind to clear the island and reaching to Barbuda buoy. Actually, not too much fun as the next watch spent few hours under heavy rain. Lucky enough I came back on watch again at 6 o’Clock just in time to appreciate a deck with no salt, soft sheets, clean…thus still little wet foul weather gears etc. No sun and heavy showers all around welcomed me on deck. No complain: soon after Sophie came up offering yogurt, fruit, toasts and … what would you expect by a French chef?.....croissants! I forgot to mention the night before a Nutella crepes were served!

The leg to Bermuda was extremely fast and fun. Roberto at the helm  top up 16,8 kts with me trimming the kite. Igor, Kirill and Andrea stayed just above 16 kts. A2 did a good job for many hours until a damage, most likely occurred in the last hoist, appeared evident. Luff line in spectra looked exposed and soon after it was clear it was broken. An A2 in these conditions could probably fail on the leach, but could eventually survive. Trying to be soft on the sheet and on the helm we managed to postpone its premature departure. Lazy weather sheet was passed on a block ready for a  quick drop in case of failure.

A little delay of the trimmer in accompanying a gust ended up the gennaker life: head remained well attached to the halyard while the rest of the 650 sqm fell down in the water. No worries: weather sheet was pulled in, and all available hands on deck started recovering, quietly and steadily, the gennaker starting from the tack, same as we were wooling the kite, but for the tack and not from the head. Few minutes and the bottom part of the kite was on deck again. In the meantime Carlos got ready for an uncomfortable, and potentially rather dangerous, ride on top of the mast.  Carlos was hoisted on a spare halyard with a retriever line to hold him safely close to the mast in case he lost grip. Head recovery would have been too dangerous and tricky, therefore we greeted it while it was falling into the water.

With Carlos safely on deck A3 started working again bringing us (slightly underpowered) to Barbuda.

From Barbuda to Redonda bigger sails would have helped, but we could not complain. Weather was good again, pasta with shrimps and rocket salad was served to the stand-by crews and hours passed fast. Redonda approach just before sunset was fantastic. Igor at the helm carefully followed the advises of Andrea and Francesco and quickly rounded the island. This was the time for another couple of records: 2 of our professional crews experienced a new emotion for the first time in their life. Something that  they could not experience racing on other yachts, not even America’s Cup ones: they had proper hot showers. It was pleasant to see them back on deck with soft and voluminous hair. Offshore sailing is not always pain and suffering.

Francesco commented “Besides the pleasure of sailing in such a water on a wonderful yacht, I finally had the opportunity to experience the concept of “racing with comfort”: a hot shower during a regatta is something I shall add on my CV”.

Last leg in the darkness to Antigua was sailing on close beating angles. Being only few hours from the arrival, watches stopped and more people enjoyed the great sailing. Lorenzo supported the helmsman for hours, helping with advises, comments and calling the corrections on the waves and gusts. A little crowd of crew hiked out around Lorenzo to benefit of such a class!

Rounding the south of Antigua, leaving her on port was cool with wind from South East. It is easy to understand this rounding is not comfortable with North Easterly. Few more tacks and we arrived!

We love port tack!

time 17.21 local time

Pos 16.32.98 N : 62.11.29 W

SOG 12.3 COG 160 TWS 19-20 kts TWD 085

Don't race the RORC 600 if you do not like port tack! Leaving St. Maarten to starboard it was a perfect early morning sail. Fabrizio had the pleasure to clear the rocky NW point of the island before heading to Tintamare. Tintamare was left to starboard and we started our 160 nm port tack upwind leg. Wind is quite regular, never less than 13 kts and, in the afternoon, often just below 20 kts.

Genoa and full main still power us full speed in a wide upwind sailing. Speed is seldom below 12 kts. High Spirit Team is doing a good job, alternating helm and main sail trimming with the rest of the Italian racing team.

Tactical call suggested to pass leeward to Montserrat. It looks like the rest of the fleet passed windward. This morning Nefertiti was ahead of us 12 nm, now she is only about 5.

Montserrat west coast is quite amazing. The famous eruption of Soufrière Hills Volcano destroyed part of the island in 1995. The new land, into the cone of destruction, is quite stunning. Our windward passage granted us an hour of smooth sailing in strong  breeze and flat water.

We are heading to Les Saintes (Guadeloupe), when race will be decided by how well the fleet passes the massive wind shadow of the island. Francesco just started eating with the excuse of getting ready for the passage, which will start in less than 3 hour.

Fleet tracking system censors each yacht passage in order not to give any advantage to followers. Do not worry if we disappear from RORC 600 tracking system for a while.

A little note about the hard racing experience on Cape Arrow: have you ever been trimming genoa while chef is offering you fresh watermelon or sandwiches? Have you ever waken up during the race with crew offering you a warm toast?  Last dinner was lasagne, tonight we are looking forward to learn what Sophie has prepared for us!

Cheers!!

PS: today a family of dolphins played on our bow for 10 minutes just to celebrate St. Maarten rounding!

First Sunrise

What a night! Great sailing downwind in 15-18 tws all the 50 miles to Nevis. No waves, therefore no surfs but steady 12-14.5 knots of speed with few times just above 15. Igor did a great job on the helm although conditions approaching Nevis were tricky with plenty of wind shift. No moon to help us but nice stars and very mild weather. Nevis has a big mountain which was capped at sunset and it was a nice picture.

We lost contact with Nefertiti, we wonder if we passed her or not. What we know is that we were passed by the huge Athos and Adela. Adela's crew did a gybe peel! Can you imagine? Masts were lightened up like a Christmas tree. I wonder how many radios they have on board to coordinate manouvers among crew members.

From Nevis to Saba we left St. Christopher on starboard and we enjoyed the fantastic reaching with our A3, all away around the little island. Then, just in time for my turn of rest we started beating towards St. Barths.

Few tacks and 30 miles after (much less than 3 hours later) we started the easy approach but incredibly tricky rounding of St. Barths. Rocks, reef, no moon, many lights ashore, a buoy and a few other difficulties. Francesco Mongelli, guided us through the difficulties like he was playing with a 100 footer remote controlled model!

A2 was set up on starboard tack and once again we started regularly seeing 14 and 15 on our log.

Asking to captain for a word, he smiled and commented his swapping gennaker sheets after a gybe peel: “it was nice to hang again a gennaker sheet on after few years”. We took pictures to prove how elegant he was!!!

A2 was dropped smootly and we started again sailing up wind to round St. Maarten to starboard, welcomed by a nice sunrise.

Stay tuned and track us from RORC Caribbean 600 Fleet Tracking!

Let's Start!

11.30 - Start

Weather could not be better, 15-18 TWS blowing from 110, sun, little waves. I am sure nobody on board is regretting being here and not in the offices! Unfortunately Claudio did not recover and he quit. Walter, Fabrizio and first mate Carlos Carrer will handle the bow on their own.

Heading out the harbour we passed by the jury for safety check. As per Notice of Race the 16 of us wore lifejackets and was on starboard guardrail for the count.

Mainsail up, genoa unfurled. Ready for start procedures.

We started at 11.30, with just 5 seconds delay on the line, on the stern of Bella Mente. Few tacks with genoa and full mainsail and we started crossing  other yachts of our category, and soon after we started passing few beautiful smaller yachts belonging to different classes.

After clearing Kettle Bottom Shoals we headed at good 10.5 kts close hauling and then fetching to Barbuda. As soon as wind was coming from wider angles we switched on outboard short sheet and then we deployed staysail too. Angles allowed sailing deeper and after some time gaining water and sailing higher than to buoy, we hoisted A3 gaining a good 10% on VMG to bouy. Nefertiti was fighting with Idea and they were sailing a bit higher than us to defend their position, leaving us the room to get closer and closer, reducing the gap they gained upwind.

Mark rounding saw us engaged with Nefertiti. She passed first but we were about to overlap her. On the buoy we beard away, hoisted our A2, gybed, dropped A3 and opened A2. A perfect customized gybe set (we are using snuffers!).

Now we are reaching trying to close the gap with Nefertiti. Sunset is coming. Lights are getting milder and milder. My wife would say: “c'e' una luce dooolce!”.

PS: Sophie prepared quiches with broccoli and pancetta, spinach and, for the young babies on board, cakes with almond chocolate.

Stay tuned!!! See you in St.Kitts and Nevis

Today we are a crew!

Today was a good day!

Weather conditions were a bit milder than yesterday. A quite steady 15-22 kts trade-wind offered us a perfect training day! Smoother sea and great colors. Unfortunately no rainbows (yesterday we saw 2 amazing ones!)

We started with a brief meeting anticipating the schedule for today and for tomorrow. Although few minor jobs were on the list left from yesterday, it was immediately clear we were starting a long day.

Yesterday both genoa and staysail were on deck for a little repair and for checks, so today both had to be hoisted on their stays and made ready to be furled. First we hoisted full main, then headed out the bay and beard away to cover the hoists behind the mainsail. Few lashings and checks supervised by Lorenzo Mazza and we finally started sailing around 10.30.

From then onwards we had 4 hours of nice smooth sailing. Crew started getting bonded. High Spirit Team members, stopped being guests and started working with their buddies of the racing team.

Igor did a great job on the main, while Alexander (Sasha) was trimming genoa with Andrea Micheli. Helm was in Roberto Martinez’s hands first, than Andrea Casale, and finally for a long nice sail in Kirill hands.

Bow team (Claudio Novi and Walter Mascaretti) and Mast team (Niky Mosca and Carlos Carrer)  worked well together with the help of Vasili and Igor through few kite hoists and drops. Reefing in and reefing out were practiced and few configurations were tested recording angles and speed with different head sails set ups. Claudio, our first bow man, is still recovering from a very bad flue…or at least we hope is doing so. not sure going into the water on the bow is  the convalescence the doctor would recommend! Walter, second bow man, certainly is very motivated to wish him a quick recover: it looks tiring to  be alone on a 100 footer bow for 3 days!

We tried Genoa and staysail together up to 100 TWA, Genoa alone for different angles Genoa and one reef on the main, stay sail and one reef, genoa on outer short sheet, genoa on mid out short sheet etc.

Everybody worked harmoniously looking forward to eat again one deserved tuna- olive-egg wrap prepared by Sophie.

At 17.00 the navigation briefing closed the day. Francesco Mongelli, explained us the course through the islands, showing the predicted wind, introducing us the tricky areas and giving us a foretaste of the course: what a course!! 600 miles up and down the West Indies, through passages, passing by these beautiful islands belonging to a piece of heaven! St Barth, Barbuda, Antigua, Guadalupe, Mt. Serrat, Kiitts, Nevis etc… so many, so various!!

17.30 Francesco and Andrea introduced us to the scheduled 3 watches system (stand-by, On-watch, Off-Watch). Andrea C, Lorenzo and Francesco will be Watch captain, leading the crew through the predicted 60 plus hours of race.

Tomorrow 9.00 on board. Safety briefing with captain Fabrizio, leave the dock at 10.30 to start at 11.30.

Tonight dinner at Sun Ra, very nice local restaurant, an icon among the sailors calling Antigua harbour, thanks to the clever and capable touch of Betty and Mirko.

We are looking forward to start RORC 600! Ciao!!!

First training day is over!

At 12.00 a.m all crew was on board. Guest and crew introduced one to each other.  For the first day, only the names written on T-shirts would have help not getting confused! Andrea Casale, crew boss, welcome everybody and explained  roles on board. Captain Fabrizio had a first short speach on safety and Sophie, the yacht hostess, offered her first round of tasty sandwiches.

Cape Arrow headed back to Falmouth harbour after 2 hours training in 20-25 knots. First reef, second reef, gennaker hoist, gennaker drop were briefly practiced to make everybody comfortable in their roles on board. Few little mishaps happened but this is why trainings are done! Debrief, list of works and ready to dock back.Everybody had to hurry up for not missing an handmade Focaccia prepared on SW 82 Feelin' Good! Cheers!

Getting ready for RORC Caribbean 600

Goodmorning Antigua!Racing crew had an early wake up. You are free to guess whether this is due to excitement or for jet leg! Cape Arrow is in stunning conditions, permanent crew is ready to welcome High Spirit Team on board.
The boat  is in good company at Falmouth harbour with other 3 Southern Wind yachts and many other stunning magnificent yachts.
SW 82 Feelin' Good will celebrate the randevouz offering to SW friends a cocktail on board.
Yacht set up will finish before lunch time and first training will then keep everybody busy until sunset!

Caribbean Racing Season Starts with RORC 600

After a demanding Atlantic Ocean crossing,  we are ready to start the Caribbean Season with the 2014 edition of the RORC 600 regatta taking on board the motivated and enthusiastic Russian sailing team HIGH SPIRIT.

The team , who chartered the yacht for this special event, is composed of five Russian passionate sailors who are used to race with their 40 feet yacht in the most renewed Mediterranean Regattas; Cape Arrow will grant the emotions of such a challenging offshore Regatta thanks to her utmost performance and to her very professional and experienced racing crew that is going to join us.

Some of them have America’s Cup racing background and ocean racing experience and their presence onboard will ensure that the yacht will be sailed responsively, supporting the guests in helming and sail trimming operations.

The really good reputation of the yacht  in the offshore races (2^nd place at 2013 Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht, 4^thplace at 2013 St Barth Bucket Regatta, 3rd place at 2013 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in Porto Cervo, 1^st place at2012 Southern Wind Trophy), gives to High Spirit team great expectations.

Follow us in this new adventure!