The Round White Island race starts on Thursday next week, 7pm. So after a day at work, and a 3 hour motor down, we are off, through the Gulf, passing Channel and Cuvier Islands before the 90nm each way leg to White Island.
We have been very busy of late with safety equipment, Rob is preparing a posting on it at the moment. However without revealing too much, I can say that we are both feeling increased confidence from testing several our emergency systems, including steering with a drogue, man over board drills and a revisit of sailing with our storm sails.
Tactically, the White Island race, could possible require all my knowledge of coastal meteorology. The Bay of Plenty is well known for it’s sea breeze, however the “sea breeze season” is only starting. Over the last few days I have watched the predictions from various models and also the observations for the Bay of Plenty. The sea breeze development is still weak and is not extending far offshore. This could mean decisions between increasing the distance we sail to ensure we can take advantage of the sea breeze, or staying on the direct line between White Island and Cuvier Island, hoping that shortest distance will be quickest.
More time downstairs at the PC for me I can see!
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