Day 6

Position: North west of the Cape Verde Islands

Distance run in the last 24 hours: 188 nautical miles. Now less than 2000 nm to destination.

The ARC and the Trade (Winds) Descriptions Act.

Crossing the Atlantic with the ARC is supposed to be simple, straightforward and fun.  Just leave the Canaries and follow the African coast south until roughly the latitude of the Cape Verdes, then turn right and pick up balmy trade winds which waft the yacht west across to the Caribbean.  Unfortunately this is not at all what the ARC is delivering in 2013.  For the past 24 hours we have been battling an Atlantic depression with strengthening winds, building seas and almost incessant rain, and the forecast is for this to persist over the weekend.  We have just passed through a horrible squall line, with a short period of absolutely torrential rain.  The good news is that the wind angle allows us to make rapid progress towards our destination, but the bad news is that everyone and everything on board is wet.  Life is more difficult when the boat is heeling by 20 degrees, and we have had winds over the deck approaching 30 knots at times.  Conditions are tough, but not extreme, although we shall all be thoroughly fed up of this low pressure system before we break free from it.  Despite the rain, steering the boat has been exhilarating, although not so easy in the pitch black of night when it is impossible to discern the direction or size of incoming waves.  Indeed, I had a woeful time helming last night, when the wind was hard to locate, and my reactions were not nearly as sharp as they should have been.  I am fortunate to sail with a forgiving crew! This morning was much better, reaching before impressive waves sweeping through from the south.   Sitting at the wheel looking up at the waves as they roll in is an inspiring sight.  Is is above all at moments like this, in the solitude of the ocean, that the sheer power of the sea is most impressive.  Alcedo has sailed wonderfully well, and is more than capable of looking after us all.  
We had one moment of drama yesterday afternoon, when the heavy cabin table tore itself free of its mountings.  Fortunately the crew were in position to catch this as it fell, and no serious damage was done, although Jane suffered a bruised ankle. 90 minutes of hard work (mainly by the skipper) later and the table was more effectively secured in place.
Dreadful news from the ARC people this morning, that the French skipper of one of the yachts died last night, apparently from cardiac arrest.  His yacht has put into the Cape Verdes.  This has cast a grim shadow over the rally, and everyone's thoughts are with his family.