Osaka Cup. Escapade "Off to the Races". 19.4.13 0830
".. And as they come around the Marianas Islands and into the home Strait, its Escapade by 150,000 lengths to Optimus Prime and then a few thousand lengths back to the pack. They straiten for the run home and Escapade looks to be fading. What a gallant effort from the tiny boat by Farr out of Binks, she's led them all the way as the pace maker (plenty of pace makers on board as it happens) but looks to be tiring a bit now as the pack start to reel her in. The crew are riding her hand and heels (there's a glass of red in the other hand) and they've given her one last call ... yes, she's responding, look at her go! The pack seem to have lost their spirit (we're down to our last 2 rations of rum as well) and Escapade is showing them a clean pair of heels (finally had enough water for a wash - last week). Past the 700 mile post and its still Escapade. Can she hang on to the finish? ... stay tuned for the final exciting episode.
Yep, were flat to the boards,7 kts+ close reaching with the #2 and a reef which i'm about to shake out as the wind continues to ease from an overnight high of 19 kt down to 12s & 13s. Billy Joel has followed CCR on the Radio VKV short play list (shuffle, repeat on the ipad - 500 songs 33hrs). Watch the tracker to see what we do with the remnants of the low off Osaka as we play our final cards in an attempt to out fox the hounds. Our wind models are up to date as of last night and the next 24 hrs looks challenging.
Both the main and the #2 are starting to look very tired, the main is starting to look like a patchwork quilt and the #2 is delaminating along most of the foot section despite the chaffing protection we've applied. STill plenty of spinakers (all of them in fact) left for the run up Osaka bay and ample stock of 3 & 4s as well as the spare main which has already had a run.
Highlight of last night was the Trifle Joey whipped up for happy hour, which we finished off with the Deb/Andrew Muesli this morning, yep nearly 5 weeks of eating that muesli and it still tastes great."
