High wind qualifier

Daily diaries from Miranda Merron's solo on board 40 Degrees during her qualifier for the Artemis Transat

Easter Saturday

"16:48 First of all, a big thank you to Alex for preparing the boat, and Jerry, Becci and Zeb, for rib assistance and sail-hoisting assistance at 7am this morning. There weren't many people on the Solent as I headed west, out through the Needles, in gusts of 30 knots. As it happens, that was quite tame, since for the next few hours, the wind sat between 32 and 39 knots. I can't tell if the white stuff was snow or hail, but it is bitterly cold on deck. I am south of Dartmouth, it's sunny, green sea with lots of white streaks, occasional wave breaking over the boat, and the wind seems to be dropping a bit. Don't think for long though. I will see what it is like further west. In the meantime, a delicious freeze-dried chicken curry awaits!

Easter Sunday

The past 24 hours have been quite eventful. The south coast leading up to Lands End was busy with ships and trawlers (nearly got picked up by a pair!). By Lands End, it was upwind, and beyond, some interesting tacks to avoid rocks ans southbound ships - dark, quite rough, rising wind. As forecast, the wind did continue to increase. I had to go downwind twice, the second time to put the storm jib on, while the boat was surfing at high speed towards Cornwall... nothing like a fast-approaching coastline to focus the mind!! The top windspeed today has been 40 knots. It is bitterly cold as well, and some manoeuvres require careful planning - ie hands have to be warmed up to tie knots etc. Having not slept since leaving yesterday morning, I made the most of the quieter conditions (25-30 knots) this afternoon to eat, sleep, and tidy the boat - the mess is more to do with the sea-state than my slovenly housekeeping.

Sent: 24 March 2008 17:05
After a respite during the night, and long, long tacks to get to Fastnet, it was again blowing over 30 knots by 1100 this morning, when I gratefully turned 40 Degrees south, and broad reaching down waves, rather than slamming into them. Lots of wind seems to be a feature of this qualifier - there are loads of squalls around, and most of them seem to have 40 Degrees' name on them. So reduced sail area again, which is a little slow in between the squalls, but perfect when the 30+ knots hits. There are some good surfing waves, and my top speed today is 22 knots, while the autopilot has achieved 17 knots. Since I left the dock on Saturday morning, I have been dressed in foul weather gear and lifejacket/ harness the whole time, since need to be ready to go on deck at all times in these conditions. I'm glad I took a spare set of foulies and clothing, as I got a breaking wave down my neck when I was foolish enough to take off my hood! The water is about 8 C, and it got in everywhere. Pretty glamorous life out here! 200 miles to the next waypoint, all downwind. Freeze-dried sheperd's pie and Easter eggs for lunch (thanks Alex and Angela for those!).
50 21N, 9 23W

Sent: 25 March 2008 11:34

As training for a North Atlantic race goes, it probably couldn't have been better - after the revolting conditions a couple of days ago, and the cold, I at least have an idea what I could be letting myself in for in The Transat. Though Class 40s are just a bit closer to the water, and not as fast as Open 60s, so we (the 40s) will suffer more. I miss having a canting keel and coffee grinder (at least it would be something to hold onto in the middle of the cockpit!). The key seems to be that we forget quickly enough just how heinous things can get.
After 3 and a bit days at sea (seems like I've been here considerably longer!), some of the things I was no good at on the Route du Rhum have resurfaced - eating and sleep management. I am eating my 3rd meal in 4 days, and wonder why I am low on energy! There are some rules on sleep - never sleep while charging the batteries, and never sleep within reach of the alarm switch. So far so good on that, but have been tempted. I
got lots of 20 minute sleeps during the night, once I had decided to trust the autopilot to go surfing in the pitch black in squalls (it has been behaving impeccably so far), in between trawlers shooting their nets and ships. Lack of sleep makes me imagine there are other people on the boat, which is at least entertaining, but frustrating when you think you have asked them to do something, and they just don't get on with it...
The wind is 15-20 knots, so quite pleasant, reaching to the next waypoint in 30 miles, after which 40 Degrees will point her bow towards home, 425 miles away. There is, of course, another low on its way, so by this evening, will be back in horrible conditions, but at least going in the right direction!
47 23N 9 45W


26 March 2008 12:04
After a pleasant afternoon of moderate breeze and sunshine, I reached my waypoint at 46 55N, 10W, it was finally time to head for home, and the final 415 miles. It all started fine, a short period with the gennaker, which I removed as the band of cloud announcing the next low approached from the west. The wind wasn't forecast to rise for some time, but there it was getting dark, and there's no point getting caught out. As it was, the wind shift was huge, but still not that much wind. Lots of rain and no visibility though, so thought I would combine charging the batteries with turning on the radar. Except the engine cut out immediately. I figured there must be something wrapped around the water intake, backed the boat down (glad I've practiced this one before, even if accidentally!), but still no luck. Of course, at this stage I ring Alex, preparateur extraordinaire, on standby 24 hours a day. Still not sure what the problem is, but the racor filter drain wouldn't re-seal, and was pouring diesel all over the place. So it had to go. Tools, engine bits etc all over the boat, but the end result is that the engine did start again, after a frantic couple of hours working against time and an imminent cold front (failure would have meant 30 hours glued to the tiller). I had to take a reef in the main in the middle of all this, and staying on a pitching boat with diesel on the soles of your boots just adds to the fun.
The front came through just before dawn, and was spectacular. That sort of sailing is what it's all about EXCEPT the temperature. I hand-steered to keep the boat on its feet, and got firehosed with 8 C water. Wish I had ski goggles. I've got no idea what speed the boat was doing, since coudn't see the instruments through the water. Quite an exciting night. Beautiful again now, still windy, 200 miles to go!
48 58N 6 17W


27 March 2008 14:52
Yesterday started filthy and quickly turned glorious, and as soon as night descended, the squalls disappeared. Darkness brings out hundreds of fishing boats, so sleep was out of the question, but it was also the first time it was completely dry on deck, so I enjoyed it and listened to BBC World Service. It was with secret pleasure that I listened to the gale warnings on the shipping forecast, knowing that 40 Degrees would be safely tied up before the next gale.
At dawn, I put the big spinnaker up, and sailed past the stunning Jurassic Coast, and then into the Solent, marking the end of this qualifier. It has been a highly eventful 1000 miles, and I have learnt a lot, worked out some new tricks, and remembered some old ones. There is still loads to learn, but one thing is certain - the boat is a tough one! It was excellent training for the Transat in May, where some of the more unpleasant weather of the last few days is likely to be replicated.
Now, however, it's time for a beer and a shower!
Miranda/ 40 Degrees