31-Dec-2009 Noon Update

Atlantic Crossing Day #7
15'52N/37'48W

North Atlantic Ocean

• 105 nm last 25 hours
  
• 742 nm from Cape Verde
  
• 1279 nm to Barbados
  
• Winds NE 10-15 Knots
  
• Seas NE 1-2 feet with long 8 foot N swell
  

The trade winds are holding and Sandpiper is sailing along nicely. 'Haywire' has the helm, the main and staysail are out to port and the jib is poled out to starboard. This is the first time that we have had all 3 sails out on a downwind run. We are hoping for an even better 24-hour run tomorrow because the winds have slightly increased, giving us an average of 5-6 knots.

We had a hard strike on our fishing lure yesterday and when we pulled it in found out that our lure was gone. Whatever took it must have been quite large because we do not use fishing poles. Instead, we drag heavy lines behind the boat with large steel leaders that are very strong. So another night without a fish dinner.

No traffic last 24-hours, and a nice clear sunny day with a moonless star-filled night.

This will be the first year ever that 'Team Sandpiper' is not shore-side for New Years Eve. We hope that everyone has a great New Year Eve, wherever you are!! We will be thinking of you all as the clock strikes midnight in all the time zones you are all scattered throughout. This time last year we were in Thailand lighting paper lanterns and sending them skywards in hopes that the pirates in the Gulf of Aden would not see us. It must have worked.

More in 2009 ,
Tom and Amy