72 hours into the Ray White New Plymouth Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, it is living up to its name. The six remaining entrants have tracked north over the last 24 hours, most now sailing above the rhumb line trying to avoid the hole that is circling towards NZ. Conditions offshore have settled and after reporting a bit of everything yesterday… thunder and lightning, rain then sunshine, skippers enjoyed a lovely evening out there and this morning were feeling dry, fixed and looking forward to a fried breakfast.
Mike Carter has sailed Allegresse back into the fleet, achieving a DMG today of 107nm, compared to those sitting in large swells and very light head winds limiting the DMG to 65nm. Allegresse is the only wooden boat in the race. She is a Bruce Clarke design based on Sir Francis Chichester's Gypsy Moth III. Her elegant lines are reported to promise both sea-kindliness and peace of mind in a design aimed at tackling whatever the sea can throw at her. Over the last few days the Tasman Sea has certainly tested that.
We continue to track Melting Pot as Alan takes her home. We wish them both a safe passage as they head around the Cape and down the east coast.
Photo credit: Stu, Smokeylemon
