Frustrations in the fleet, Sam Davies is sanguine and objective about her keel problems on Initiatives Coeur, Donald Alexander annoyed at a missed opportunity to promote SaveSoil
From Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur) tonight, “First, BRAVO Thomas for the win! And congratulations to the leading group for this magnificent battle. One day I hope to be able to race like that, it's really inspiring. On Initiatives Couer, we are slipping gently towards Guadeloupe. My keel situation remains stable, it does not move and I am watching things closely.
It's frustrating to be slowed down but on the positive side I enjoy spending more time with my boat. A few days ago I was sad that the race was almost over but I feel like I'm getting to know my boat. And here we are I gained extra days with her. I take advantage of this time to continue to discover it and learn the systems. Today I got into electronics and installed my emergency aerial (which I didn't have time to try before the start) It's cool to have time to see these systems when it's not full on and it allows me to know the wiring and connectors well too. It works great. In addition I had lost an aerial in the strong wind at the start of the race so now my backup is working. Of I also take advantage of the magnificent seascapes in these trade winds: sunrises and sunsets, squalls, flying fish….It’s wonderful
And South African Class 40 skipper Donald Alexander (Conscious Planet) is heading back to the Azores after realising that the electrical power charging issues which required him to stop In Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel last Friday are continuing. He replaced his batteries but has discovered they are not charging.
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Dealing with same power issues as before. So it’s not batteries. My shore support reckon alternator is over heating and can’t get proper charge in. It is too far to go to Guadeloupe still to have have power issues. Sadly, that’s it. My biggest regret is no longer being able to tell the story for the SaveSoil movement to run with.”