Nasdaq Crew Diary: Scoring Gates, Birthdays and Pirates
Nasdaq Crew Diary 9 Feb 2018
Come Sail Away! The beguiling Clipper Race brochure hinted at a sail through tropical, palm fringed islands in a turquoise Coral Sea, with flying fish and dolphins ever on the bow, glorious sunsets and moon-filled starry night skies, caressed by gentle zephyrs and occasionally illuminated by distant lightning. So far the Forever Tropical Paradise Race has lived up to its depiction.
But perhaps I was reading the wrong cruise brochure, as what that depiction didn't properly convey was the excitement of a relentless, three cornered race to the Scoring Gate at 2deg north. Visit Seattle, Garmin and the good ship Nasdaq were vying for position for what seemed like days, disappearing and reappearing on the horizon, sometimes coming within a mile of each other and other times putting on a cloak of invisibility as AISs (the device which allows other vessels to see their position speed and direction) were temporarily switched off; on account of Pirates, the skipper of one boat claimed, himself a professed pirate leader. Others were concerned about the mysterious appearance of a little white helicopter far from land.
As we approach the Carolinas, a far flung group of islands administered or protected by the US which include Yap, Truk and Guam, we finally crossed the scoring gate at 8am watch changeover time this morning to claim our first Scoring Gate point. We continue to head west and slightly north in pursuit of our next goal, the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint some 1500nm and a week away to the east of Luzon.
Whilst the excitement of the Scoring Gate challenge wasn't fully reflected in the cruise copywriters' prose, the other major omission was an adequate description of the challenges of the relentless heat and humidity, all the more intensified by the heel of the boat and the activities in the Nasdaqbakehouse. Life at 45C and 45 deg means every move has to be thought out before hand, hand and footholds reconnoitred like a cautious mountaineer whether moving below deck or topside, both to conserve energy and minimise bruises. A visit to the heads sheds more calories than a session in a sauna and sleep is fitful at best, with mattresses and any remaining vestiges of clothing drenched in sweat, even with the innovation of USB fans. Many of the motley crew are looking really quite motley on account of heat rashes but fortunately the boat itself is quite dry, partly as the seas have been clement and what water that has come over the bow has been warm. The smooth seas have kept the mal de mare to a minimum and it hasn't affected everyone's appetite for the delicious meals, the versatility and originality of which would offer serious challenge to any Masterchef.
The range and variety of meals is a testament to the skills and perseverance of our victualler extraordinaire, Peter, who scours each stop over port for the freshest and choicest of ingredients and who knows exactly where everything is stored. Today is Peter's birthday so in addition to the galley being festooned with balloons, in his honour we have dined on chocolate crackles and coconut ice. We've even been treated to Tomo's Kiwi Kwiz where we all learned much more than we perhaps needed to know about all things New Zealand.
On a personal note, I'll like to congratulate my wife Jane and her pirates on Garmin for beating us to the Scoring Gate. You have always been my guiding star, but never so literally as over the past days when your mast head light has been my constant helming point in the darkness. It's been great to be able to look out and see where you are on this vast ocean, so please put your AIS back on as you disappear over the horizon. Also many thanks to all the support crew in Airlie who ensured we made it to our boats with all the right gear.
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| Parade of Sail off Airlie Beach |
But perhaps I was reading the wrong cruise brochure, as what that depiction didn't properly convey was the excitement of a relentless, three cornered race to the Scoring Gate at 2deg north. Visit Seattle, Garmin and the good ship Nasdaq were vying for position for what seemed like days, disappearing and reappearing on the horizon, sometimes coming within a mile of each other and other times putting on a cloak of invisibility as AISs (the device which allows other vessels to see their position speed and direction) were temporarily switched off; on account of Pirates, the skipper of one boat claimed, himself a professed pirate leader. Others were concerned about the mysterious appearance of a little white helicopter far from land.
As we approach the Carolinas, a far flung group of islands administered or protected by the US which include Yap, Truk and Guam, we finally crossed the scoring gate at 8am watch changeover time this morning to claim our first Scoring Gate point. We continue to head west and slightly north in pursuit of our next goal, the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint some 1500nm and a week away to the east of Luzon.
Whilst the excitement of the Scoring Gate challenge wasn't fully reflected in the cruise copywriters' prose, the other major omission was an adequate description of the challenges of the relentless heat and humidity, all the more intensified by the heel of the boat and the activities in the Nasdaqbakehouse. Life at 45C and 45 deg means every move has to be thought out before hand, hand and footholds reconnoitred like a cautious mountaineer whether moving below deck or topside, both to conserve energy and minimise bruises. A visit to the heads sheds more calories than a session in a sauna and sleep is fitful at best, with mattresses and any remaining vestiges of clothing drenched in sweat, even with the innovation of USB fans. Many of the motley crew are looking really quite motley on account of heat rashes but fortunately the boat itself is quite dry, partly as the seas have been clement and what water that has come over the bow has been warm. The smooth seas have kept the mal de mare to a minimum and it hasn't affected everyone's appetite for the delicious meals, the versatility and originality of which would offer serious challenge to any Masterchef.
The range and variety of meals is a testament to the skills and perseverance of our victualler extraordinaire, Peter, who scours each stop over port for the freshest and choicest of ingredients and who knows exactly where everything is stored. Today is Peter's birthday so in addition to the galley being festooned with balloons, in his honour we have dined on chocolate crackles and coconut ice. We've even been treated to Tomo's Kiwi Kwiz where we all learned much more than we perhaps needed to know about all things New Zealand.
On a personal note, I'll like to congratulate my wife Jane and her pirates on Garmin for beating us to the Scoring Gate. You have always been my guiding star, but never so literally as over the past days when your mast head light has been my constant helming point in the darkness. It's been great to be able to look out and see where you are on this vast ocean, so please put your AIS back on as you disappear over the horizon. Also many thanks to all the support crew in Airlie who ensured we made it to our boats with all the right gear.
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| Another sunset |
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| Another sunrise |
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| Ineke giving a daily briefing on course and progress |
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| King Neptune and Courtiers presiding over the initiation of the Pollywogs |
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