44.19 kn

Yesterday was a bit strange for me as the mood changed from a record breaking mode to a more reflective one. It also marked the end of a record session plagued by winds that always seemed to be just not quite right.

We went out to speed-spot as it was our final day of this two month record period as we didn’t want to miss any opportunity. 

Well... Damnit... things just didn't go our way I'm afraid.

We did all we could as the weather once again played games with us. We were looking for a solid, punchy day as was forecast but late in the afternoon the 14's and 15's on the TACKTICK wind meter just left me feeling slightly sick. Sure they were accompanied by the odd 20 and even 21 knot gust... but those 'holes' in the wind would kill us as far as a speed run would go. I knew that those numbers will have a significant impact on our future and will leave me with no fond memories. Local friends on kite and wind surfers stopped in at the timing hut to offer condolensces as they knew how much it meant to us.

We have two days left... and today is supposed to be the windy one. Yesterday didn't quite grunt up. We did yet another easy and un-dramatic 40 something knot run.

Once we knew we weren't going to break any records we headed home.

Well with three days left before the end of our record attempt... the wind seems to have returned.

We are on our way out to speed-spot now after spending the morning giving the wing a good servicing. We took it off the boat and went over all the tapes before getting the heat-gun out and shrinking all the skins down. She is tight as a drum again and ready for what the day has to offer.

We managed to punch out through the swell on the launch ramp and across the lumpy lagoon to speed-spot. We had to stop a couple of times to let the beam-on waves break across the boat... but we've done this before.

It was sort of wierd as it felt strong, looked strong... and yet there was just something missing. We have become pretty sensitive to the 'moods' of this particular beach over the past two years and I know when something isn't right. We stopped in at the Timing hut to check the Tacktick wind instruments. Sure enough, it was showing gusty and shifty conditions. We waited for a bit until the numbers rose on average.

Crazy, highly charged days here at the VESTAS SAILROCKET base in Walvis Bay. The forecast continue to move around and we only have four days left before it's all over.

A large swell is making its way up the African Coast and wrapping around pelican Point before marching right up to the Yacht Club. Surf is breaking on the launch ramp and across the Lagoon entrance all the way to Speed-spot. It makes the whole launching and sailing thing pretty diabolical. However, the wind is blowing right now so we will do whatever it takes to get out there and have one last bash. All risks are now worth it.

Once again a great looking forecast has evaporated away from us like a mirage. This morning when I checked out the forecast I was left feeling sick.

Our record period runs out on the 16th i.e. in a few days and what was set to be a great weather finale yesterday... has dropped away drastically today. We can extend to the 20th and of course we will do this. It means that we will be sailing at low tide and this means that the Nautical mile course will not be an option. It looks like that which seemed so easy has evaded us.