Rebecca of Helford - Colin CampbellStephen Bott Return Leg Only
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Day 10 return - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Thu, 30/06/2011 - 10:57All good things come to an end - it looks like our favourable winds are going to turn to light head winds later on today for the last 100 miles to the finish just to give us a final challenge.
Trying to work out when we will cross the finish line at Falmouth is going to require a bit of guesswork for the time being but hopefully towards the end of the weekend.
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Day 7 return - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Mon, 27/06/2011 - 09:52500 miles to go!
Continuous rain overnight and fairly fresh northerly winds - our first taste of cold wet weather since we left Ponta Delgada so can't complain.
All's well onboard with plenty of food left even if it is a bit bouncy for any fancy cooking at the moment.
It's looking like we've got reasonably favourable winds until Friday when it will possibly go light before we finish at Falmouth - we need to get as far as we can before then.
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Day 5 return - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Sat, 25/06/2011 - 08:27We are still making good progress up the track with twin genoas, staysail and main after a fairly tough night hand steering with a big following swell and fresh SSW winds. Steve gets the surfing prize overnight with a 9.3 knots to my measly 8.8.
Lots of whales about this morning but no sign of other AZAB competitors so far.
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Day 4 return - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Fri, 24/06/2011 - 08:35We remain on the SSW'ly wind with another good night at 6.5 - 7.5 knots, staying in touch with the faster boats up ahead. We have heard a number of other boats on the VHF so assume we must still be within 20 miles of them.
The next weather feature towards the end of the weekend is likely to be a low tracking across in front of us that will probably mix things up a bit with northerlies for a short while.
Just finished our porridge and coffee and have a little Pink Floyd on at volume to start the day off.
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Day 3 return - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Thu, 23/06/2011 - 10:16After a good spinnaker run yesterday up to sunset we've been making good progress up the track with a poled out genoa and staysail set in the slot since then. Our speed has crept up from around 2.5 knots after noon yesterday to a steady 6.5 - 7 knots now - long may it last!
With the sails set and the windvane taking care of the steering, Steve & I are sitting back and enjoying the ride for now!
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Day 2 return leg - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Wed, 22/06/2011 - 17:08The breeze is finally picking up from the south and with the spinnaker flying we are starting to make some better mileage with just over 1100 miles to go.
Boiling hot day with the following breeze but not complaining.
A couple of Pilot Whales passed close this morning off Terceira.
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Day 1 Return - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Tue, 21/06/2011 - 18:48After expectations of very light winds and grey skies for the race start at Ponta Delgada this afternoon we ended up with 20-28 kts and bright blue skies.
We've been going for nearly 5 hours now and are beating into a ENE'ly waiting for it to veer.
All's well and it's good to be fully crewed up for the return race with Steve Bott back onboard.
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Arrived - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Sun, 19/06/2011 - 15:17Arrived last night to catch the last of the race dinner (pudding and a quick glass of wine) before a night out till 3 am!
Just pipped on the line by Tantina II by about 400 metres after 1200 miles of racing.
All ready for the return race on Tuesday with a fully fit crew raring to go!
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Day 14 - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Fri, 17/06/2011 - 07:59Finally some wind! Yesterday during the day the wind increased from 5 - 12 knots and veered round to give me the opportunity to make the course line down to the eastern end of Sao Miguel at 5 knots which now gives me the chance to finish sometime on Saturday morning. The last challenge will be the notoriously fickle conditions along the south coast towards Ponta Delgada with light headwinds forecast yet again.
Currently 45 miles from land so should start to see the high mountains before too long.
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Day 13 - Rebecca of Helford
Submitted by Colin Campbell on Thu, 16/06/2011 - 12:37Getting ever closer - only 88 miles to first landfall now and a further 40 odd miles to the race finish. The winds have now dropped to a very light breeze and are still constantly from the south and west which is going to make it touch and go whether I manage to complete the race or resort to motoring the last bit.
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