Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops 2022 November Load Pin LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
Allen Deck Bush
Allen Deck Bush

Leonie Conway update

by Irish Sailing 7 Jan 19:42 GMT
Leonie Conway sets sail © Irish Sailing

Update from Leonie: 18th of December: 16'01.26N 030'01.91W

In other words, the middle of the ocean, and today is my 30th birthday.

I woke up with a sense of excitement which I expected but what I didn't expect was the crew to be so excited with me. At around midday I went to the galley to grab a snack. I just managed to see the top of a cake before I was shunned away. I went up on deck and sat at the edge of the boat. Knowing what was coming I was filed with nervousness, but so in awe that these people I didn't know a month ago have gone so out of their way. Then I heard a bellowing call "Leonie to the bridge! Leonie to the bridge" I was greeted by everyone with a carrot cake and two gifts wrapped in old nav reports. A bottle of red wine to be enjoyed on land and a book. "Barefoot navigator" by Jack Lagan (which I haven't put down since).

A day only made better by a swim! After 10 days at sea, hitting the cool refreshing water was sublime. Swimming in the middle of the Atlantic for my 30th! Not bad!

Next was Christmas! I don't believe this year is going to be a traditional one. By the time the 25th arrived it couldn't have been more needed. Three days of high winds, heavy seas and a few late night manoeuvres, we all needed a pick me up. At around 10am and the galley was in full flow. Song of the Whale is a meat free vessel, so a tasty nut roast replaced a turkey in the oven, with spuds both roast and mashed, yummy Yorkshire puddings and greens.

We sat around the table laughing a joking, while holding onto our plates with the role of each wave. This was certainly an untraditional way to spend Christmas. But, I feel truly lucky to be spending Christmas with such amazing people all with fantastic stories and vast life experience. The evening was finished by a very short call home over the Sat Phone. Although short, just hearing my parents' voices was very special. We are about a week and a half from our destination. I'm enjoying my crossing but very much looking forward to being able to call home and talk to all my loved ones.

We shared Leonie Conway's goal setting story earlier this month and now she is mid Atlantic. Join her on board with her blog below:

Set Sail

A six am start, coffee brewed, lines slipped and we are on our way!

After three days at sea we are mid Bay of Biscay and I get into the rhythm of our watch system of three hours on, four hours off and the Bay gives us the swell we expected. As I wake in the early hours for my watch I take a quick sip of water, pull on my foul weather gear and feel a thrill at the excitement and challenge of it all.

As we pass the Portuguese coast five days later the wind finally turns behind us and we are cruising downwind. This was one of the hardest parts for me emotionally. I'm not sure if it was that we weren't fighting against the wind anymore or if I had the time to think of people at home I was missing... my mind is soon settled back into the new rhythm.

About 350nm away from the Canaries the wind turned on us again and we were back to fighting against the wind. Two and a half days later we finally arrived in Lanzarote. It was 03:30 when we pulled alongside the fuel dock, tucked ourselves into bed and relaxed.

Atlantic

After four days of restocking in Lanzarote, we set sail for Bahamas... well, actually motored for two days straight into the abyss of little to no wind, this was stunning... have never seen water so calm. We made the most of the calm to enjoy a swim! It was amazing to swim around this beast of a vessel that is Song of the Whale.

Whale!!

The next day the wind started to fill and we were cruising nicely. Just after my watch I heard a scream from the deck. "WHALE!!" I ran up on deck to see a whale blow in the distance, then another and another! I ran to the viewing platform at the back of the boat to watch them from above and just as I got to the top I saw the flute! (the tail of the whale up in the air just before it does a deep dive) and my captain shouted "It's a sperm whale"... then they were gone. I was in shock by this encounter. I was just getting over it a few hours later when we spot a blow close by... this time minky whales. They stuck around for a while, interacting with us and then just disappeared into the sea.

I feel so lucky to be here. That evening my watch was at sunset. I listened and learned as the captain and first mate discussed how to manage the spinnaker pole in a big swell and a pod of spotted dolphins started to follow us.

We finally starting to get into the trade winds. I feel like it's starting to all fall in place on my first night watch with the pole up. I was a little nervous as the wind was changing and it was hard to keep both sails flying, I had to just trust myself.

I now lie on the deck watching meteor showers and talking about the stars with my crew mates in our shorts and t-shirts... what a difference from three weeks ago.

What will happen over the next three weeks and what adventures we will have.

Related Articles

Irish sailing teams prepare for Allianz Regatta
But temporary setbacks for some team members Cancellation of the women's 49erFX event at this week's Allianz regatta in The Netherlands will be a temporary setback for Ireland's Erin McIlwaine with Ellie Cunnane as the pair build towards their first full international regatta. Posted on 30 May
Injury concerns end French Olympic Week for Irish
After a week of highs and lows in Hyères After a week of highs and lows at the French Olympic Week (Hyères, Cote d'Azur ) the Irish Sailing squad are returning home with firm resolve ahead of the main season ahead. Posted on 28 Apr
Silver lining for Cork pair at Hyerés
Ireland's Seáfra Guilfoyle with Johnny Durcan holding 5th in 49er Silver fleet After the disappointment of missing out on Gold fleet at French Olympic Sailing Week, Seáfra Guilfoyle with Johnny Durcan (Royal Cork Yacht Club) had a good outing in the 49er Silver fleet today in Hyerés. Posted on 27 Apr
Lynch secures Gold fleet place
At French Olympic Sailing Week An easing of conditions saw Ireland's Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) regain some of his better form on the third day of French Olympic Sailing Week (Hyerés, Cote d'Azur Wednesday 26th April 2023) and the conclusion of the qualifying series. Posted on 26 Apr
Mistral winds blow to Irish hopes
On day 2 at French Olympic Sailing Week A second day of strong conditions at the French Olympic Sailing Week (Hyères, Cote d'Azur Tuesday 25th April 2023) proved exceptionally challenging for the three Irish crews competing. Posted on 25 Apr
Steady start for Lynch
As Mistral wind opens French Olympic Sailing Week High winds were the dominant force on the opening day of French Olympic Sailing Week (Hyerés, Cote d'Azur Monday 24th April 2023) where Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) was the only Irish sailor in action, competing in the ILCA 7 event. Posted on 24 Apr
Investwise Irish Sailing Youth Nationals
Home waters victory for Rocco Wright occo Wright won the ILCA 6 Youth National Champion title at the Investwise Irish Sailing Youth National Championships on Sunday, hosted by Howth Yacht Club. Posted on 18 Apr
Disappointment for Irish sailors in Palma
But determination too, and working on several fixable issues is the next priority Gold fleet racing ended today at the Princess Sofia World Cup of Sailing regatta (Friday 7th April 2023, Palma, Mallorca, Spain) with no Irish crews through to medal race finals for the first time in several editions. Posted on 7 Apr
Blow to Irish hopes at Princess Sofia Trophy
Day 4 sees Tokyo Olympians appear to stumble in the lighter winds Hopes of a strong result for Irish sailors competing at the Princess Sofia World Cup of Sailing regatta were set back today (Thursday 6th April 2023, Palma, Mallorca, Spain) when light winds and handling errors proved costly. Posted on 7 Apr
Irish 49er sailors catapult into overall lead
On day 3 of the Princess Sofia Trophy A stellar day on the Bay of Palma today saw Dublin sailors Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove take the overall lead in their 49er skiff event as they comfortably qualified for the Gold fleet final round at the Princess Sofia Trophy. Posted on 5 Apr