Lionheart 3

I 'M looking at the temperature gauge and it's reading 8.7 degrees celsius. Man, it's cold if you don't rug up! The sun is going down after a rare appearance and the temperature will probably drop another few degrees, but it's been a good day of cleaning up. I'm only a few days away from the Horn and the wind has died to 10 knots. My nerves will have to put up with an extra day's wait until I round the Horn, which will hopefully be before the next low comes through. Cape Horn has been feared by seamen for ages because of extreme weather conditions. Lots of trading vessels that had to pass the Horn before the Panama Canal was built simply disappeared, presumably crushed against the unforgiving cliff faces. There was a disease then which sailors claimed they had caught so they could get transferred to land before the ship had to pass the Horn. Just on 200 nautical miles, or less than half the distance from Sydney to Melbourne, south of Cape Horn is the Antarctic convergence. I'm not exactly sure what this is, but it sounds cold and I sure wouldn't like to go down there. On Friday night I lay my head down for a rest just as it was getting light.

It had been blowing 40 knots and the seas were moderate but I was going the wrong direction so I "hove to" which is a method by which you stop the boat by pointing her into the wind and waves. Two hours later I was woken by a knock down (when a wave strikes a boat and tips it over).I had received small ones through the day but this was a full-on lefty in the jaw. I must have passed the 90 degree point as objects were lodged in places that seemed to defy gravity. Later that day I spoke to a competitor in the Around Alone race who was 180 nautical miles closer to the Horn than I was. He had 50 knots gusting 70 knots and was getting knocked down by 12-metre waves. I now know why Cape Horn has such a bad reputation. I'm trying to get out of here as fast as I can. My spirits were high today and the sun gave me a chance to clean things while I sang along to Pearl Jam's song I'm Still Alive. Travis and Darren of Upwey wanted to know what type of strenuous activities I get up to. It can be hard work changing sails and grinding winches and getting water from the tap is an effort. I have to pump and pump until enough pressure has built to suck the water from the tanks, which can work me up into quite a sweat.

I AM extremely pleased with this week's progress. Apart from one day, we have been doing above 6 knots constantly. With the speed, though, comes overcast days, but I'm getting so used to it that it hardly bothers me now - anything for speed. The Around Alone Race (previously the BOC) is catching up, and they are so fast they'll probably beat me to the Horn. Their presence has got me dreaming about doing a Vende Globe some day, which is a solo nonstop race round the world on the most technologically advanced speed machines. A pure adrenalin rush. I keep reminding myself, though, that I have to finish this dream first. I've got a couple of questions from Sam and Ben, from Swan Reach (primary, I suspect). They want to know what I do if I get bored and whether I have a back-up motor. I do have plenty of time on my hands, but I never find myself consciously bored. My mind is always drifting around and dreaming. I've got lots of books to read, my guitar, cooking, filming and of course keeping Lionheart pointed in the right direction is a never-ending task. About the motor, I do have one and it is theoretically ready to go in an emergency, but whether it works after all the water that has been through it is another matter. I find it is safer just to keep far enough away from land so that there is no need for it. We had one sunny day during the week so I cleaned all the spilled food from two months ago out of the stove and attacked the build-up of mould up the front where there isn't much light or circulation. I would have forgotten about Valentine's Day if one of my friends hadn't mentioned it in an e-mail. It was just another overcast day for me, but I took the time to write this small poem:

Out all on your own,

With nothing but your mind,

To think, reflect and learn,

And this here's what I find.

One chance is all you've got,

My turn I've surely missed,

Now all that I have,

Is the memory round my wrist.

16.02.99

THE week started with a rescue deep in the Southern Ocean for Isabelle Autissier. It was a shock to hear she was in trouble but I suspected that it would be Giovanni Soldini who was closest and who would detour to rescue her. I had been speaking over the radio to Neil Hunter, the only Australian in the race, and he kept me informed. Isabelle was about 1000 nautical miles away from me and I had a bit of a giggle when some media thought I was involved with the rescue. It would take me about a week to reach her. I wonder how these ideas start? Isabelle set off her 406 EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) which sends a distress message to satellites which relayed her position to rescuers. I have two EPIRBs in the yacht and the liferaft. The raft also has flares, a survival suit, VHF radio, GPS, compass and water maker to ensure the best possible chance of survival. A few days ago I altered the steering gear and pointed Lionheart's bow towards Cape Horn for the start of my descent. It has become cold and I still have to go further south. I received a report from my weather adviser telling me there was a BIG low heading my way. Thankfully he meant BIG as in it covered a large area with winds no more that 45 knots. However a second low has formed behind it and I got a message today telling me to slow down and head south as much as possible. I've got the storm jib up and doing 4-5 knots. I've got some more questions from a few schools. Year 5N at St Mary's Bairnsdale wanted to know my fastest speed clocked so far. I don't know exactly, but roughly 150 nautical miles a day. As I get closer to the Horn this will increase as there is up to 3 knots of current going with me. Elle from Leitchville Primary wanted to know if I get sea sick. Thankfully I haven't. At the beginning my head was a bit stuffy but I believe the adrenaline got me through and since then I've been cured. Russell also wanted to know if I have seen any icebergs. I haven't yet but I would like to.Maybe when I get further south I will pick them up on the radar because my friends want me to tow one home, but I can't really see that happening.

23.02.99

02.03.99

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