The Ocean Race Europe: Hitting the high notes on Team Childhood

The Ocean Race Europe, Lorient, France to Cascais, Portugal Leg 1: On Board Childhood I © Brend Schuil / Team Childhood I/The Ocean Rac

America's Cup winner and Volvo Ocean race skipper Simeon Tienpont (NED) reports from the VO65 Team Childhood, competing in The Ocean Race Europe

We are in the final 24 hours of this leg, as it looks now. Earlier this morning, we rounded the waypoint in the middle of the Atlantic in the twilight. It felt like a mark rounding in an In-Port Race, so close were the differences with Akzo and Sailing Poland.

Yesterday we all worked hard to minimize the gap that Team AkzoNobel and Sailing Poland had on us, and we succeeded. Certainly, in the lighter conditions, the team steers and trims the boat well. We were able to keep the boat running better and better and choose the right sail setup.

Yesterday afternoon we encountered dozens of huge whales. We could already see them spraying up meters high in the air on the horizon. We had to sail around these colossal lazy beasts several times as they were not in the mood to get out of the way. Given their size: ‘We chose eggs for our money’, as the Dutch say.

In the middle of the night, about four hours before the jibe around the waypoint, we picked up speed again. With the wind turning to the left, it was a fantastic reach with an average speed of 21 knots. Especially the last three hours before the jibe we had a real drag race with Sailing Poland. Fantastic conditions for the crew to practice their reaching skills with a lot of wind in the night.

We managed to arrive 50 meters ahead of Sailing Poland at the waypoint. In the jibe maneuver and stacking all the weight again, Sailing Poland was slightly better. They could stick their nose out just in front of us.

At the moment we have a fantastic reaching course towards Cascais. We have 21 – 27 knots wind and nice big, long waves. The boat speed is up to 20 knots again. The next hours are crucial to keep in this weather front. If we fall off, the next 400 miles will be difficult. In these circumstances, you see that Sailing Poland and Team AkzoNobel are pushing the pedal to the medal too. So, we will have to do our very best to rise in position.

There is a queue at the steering wheel now. Everyone wants to steer in these circumstances. Or as the English say: ‘Drive it like you stole it!’ This comment is applicable to the young professionals on board. I’m sitting below deck in the navigation, with my seatbelt on and my breakfast is in my hair.

It’s amazing and very cool to see all those tired but especially happy faces in the cockpit. While the watch on deck rays of happiness, the off watch inside sleeps like roses. Despite all the noise and movements of the boat bouncing its way through the waves. The circumstances and conditions are perfect for them to gain experience!

Keeping our fingers crossed that we could beat Team AkzoNobel and/or Sailing Poland in these last 24 hours.

Regards,

Simeon