The last two weekends have coincided with two of the most violent southerly storms this year. Last weekends storm was just completely over the top, with no one interested to go out. Windspeeds were averaging 42 knots gusting well over 50 knots of frozen air from Antarctica.
This weekends storm was slightly more subdued producing 38 knots gusting 48 knots with snow in the hills. It had been a long time since my last sail. So, I was fizzing to get in the water. Probably too keen. I finally gave up waiting for the condition to ease, and went out in conditions which were well over the top. Had my 4.0 up rigged tight as a drum, put a 19 cm fin in my 72 litre, lowered my boom, and still got fully spanked.
There were moments of control where I got a couple of jabs down the line on the inside, and where I felt confident enough to throw a few push loops. Otherwise it was hunkering down and sheeting out, sliding sideways, tail walking, and trying to survive. Definitely ranks as one of the windiest days I have sailed. As always, after sailing these types of conditions I am nursing a few minor injuries that I can't remember doing. Including a badly twisted wrist (hope its not fractured).
I wouldn't say that it was enjoyable sailing, but it was a challenge, and it well and truly blew the cobwebs out of my head (probably with a few brain cells)!
Check out the vid. Thanks to Troy Purcell for the sailing footage.
2 comments:
Very Nice Blog James. Glad I came across it!
Thanks George. Stoked to have visitors from the other side of the earth!
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