News from SY Zefiro. Sailing in the Ocean

After the start of the regatta on November 22nd in S.ta Cruz de Tenerife we enjoyed a few hours of good and fast sailing only to then be hit by total calm and we didn’t move at all. During the  following days there was a constant change between gail force winds and squalls up to 42 knots and calms. The wind directions shifted all the time: tradewinds which normally in November are supposed to be coming steadily from the northeast have completely let us down this year.

Our team consists of an Italian, a Venezuelian, eight Germans and two Burmese. The watch system on board is as follows: nine crew go in groups of four or five around the clock (a two-watch system) four hours on and four hours off.

Eight lovely dolphins escorted us at the beginning of the race, a whale has been seen and we only met one commercial ship on our way so far. Although there were quite some obstacles the passage was up to now quite challenging and the morale on board is high. The fishing rods are out, we hope we will now head forward fast and catch some fish.

On board all boat systems are working perfectly well and our crew of twelve is healthy and motivated. We definitely owe Aung, our Burmese cook, a great deal that the crew are happy: even when hit by bad weather, he still managed to surprise us with a diversity of delicious food like homemade bread, rich stews, pasta al dente, roast meat and even typical German specialities.

Vitamines are granted from the lovely fruit and vegetables which we provisioned in Sta. Cruz de Tenerife. There is still enough food and water on board and also our liver had a good rest since the start of the race. The motto „No alcohol on board“ didn’t particulaly please everybody  but the liver surely will welcome this rejuvenating period before the holiday season….