News from the weary crew of Gryphon Solo
Fog, farming and fishing reports later
Some years it can be tough to get around Cape Sable in the Marblehead to Halifax race. This is one of those years.
As Gryphon Solo approached along the rhumb line, the wind was forecast to clock into the south, which would lift her around Cape Sable on starboard tack. The wind stayed out of the southeast and the Open 50 tacked to the south for about 30 miles so she could safely get around Brazil Rock.
At 7:30 on Tuesday morning Gryphon Solo was 91 miles behind Blue Yankee, the closest boat to Halifax and a little over 100 miles from the finish.
"We had definitely wanted to avoid this tack," reported skipper Joe Harris. It sent us in the wrong direction, but with a 26' foot 'Fundy' tide thundering at us, we had no choice but to get offshore before turning left to Halifax."
"As luck would have it, Harris continued, "the wind died as we approached Brazil Rock, and we had to roll out the Code Zero to keep the boat going in darkness and fog. When the other watch called us at 6:00AM to join in the fun, we refused to leave the warmth of the cabin and our sleeping bags. Eventually we rolled out, but it was painful.
In the early morning hours Gryphon Solo is now going around 8 knots towards Halifax with about 100 miles to go to the finish. At this rate Harris and crew should be across the line some time tonight, but they are not counting chickens yet.
"Rob Gale," Harris concluded, "our crew member from Halifax, has promised us a king's welcome, including some cold Labatt's, eh? We told him to take off eh?, but he says he will deliver. I'm hoping some of the big dogs hit this soft stuff but I heard there was a pack of them about 12 miles in front of us so they may have snuck around the corner without the same difficulty as we encountered. All we can do is keep trying our best."
Read stories and see pictures from the Marblehead Halifax Race on: http://www.gryphonsolo.com/
There's more at http://www.marbleheadtohalifax.com/
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Talbot Wilson
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