Downwind and nicknames

Aloha Westward Fans!

The last couple of days have seen some major changes here aboard Westward. For one, we are finally (and hopefully for the rest of the race) headed downwind. This is a huge improvement in overall quality of life. The boat has flattened and we've pretty much completely stopped pounding into the waves -- instead are running more with them. Westward was designed to be great at sailing downwind and you can tell that for the past week, she's been wanting to surf along the waves. She's getting her chance to do that now.

Even though we have started sailing downwind, if you're following us on the tracker you can see that we're still not exactly pointed at Hawaii quite yet. Our route optimizer tells us that, based on a whole bunch of information about the boat and the weather, it's not quite time for us to point at Honolulu. If we do, it's likely that we will be sitting in a bunch of light air for quite some time and Westward really doesn't like light air. However, the route optimizer is based on models and predictions, so when reality plays out, we'll either look like heroes or zeros (that's the cleaner version of the language we've been using on the boat). We did just have a conversation about jibing and decided to wait for a few hours under the logic that, as Graham so eloquently put it, "we've banged the corner so far, so we're going to see it through."

Even if we do follow what the route optimizer says and it's right, we still have quite a way to go, timewise. The wind is supposed to get light no matter where we are (we're just hoping to aim for the narrowest portion of the light spot), so we're likely to have some slow days in the next week. We've traveled over 1,400 miles this trip already and still have something like 900 to go -- so stay tuned for the exciting conclusion. Right now we're 5th in our class and 12th overall.

Downwind sailing also brings along with it more jovial attitudes. We're not getting pounded around and soaked by spray every other second, so people are feeling more sociable. Even the other day when we had five sail changes in the span of a few hours (a specialty of ours), there were smiles on deck. The higher spirits also help put a different spin on the smaller errors on board. Instead of being huge downers, they become sources of entertainment and, sometimes, nicknames. For instance, you'll soon all get to meet Two Shackle Alli, who was born after regular Alli dropped two shackles in the water within about three minutes. Or Tubs (some of you will remember him as Graham) who joined the crew when trying to rinse the dishwashing tub and instead dropped it overboard. Not everyone can have as complimentary a name as the Boat Whisperer, I guess. Over the next couple of days, we'll see what nicknames Zack and Mara earn themselves.

Westward is performing well. We've had some minor challenges as you do with a 63 year old boat, but nothing that Sam and Willie can't fix or work around. Those guys are geniuses. And Westward is a performer.

We're all looking forward to seeing Hawaii at this point, but trying to keep our heads in the game. There are a lot of miles left to sail and only the sea knows what the next few days have in store for us. Until then, we're enjoying each other's company, some great sailing, and some time unplugged. The only worries are that Graham and Alli have to be back at work early next week and would like to be able to enjoy a few Mai Tais before hopping on a plane!

Think fast thoughts for us!

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