Here we go. First sail of Walvis, Round 8

 The team all arrived safe and sound yesterday. Everyone has enjoyed a big feed and a long sleep... so straight into the sailing program we go. It's a pleasure to turn the sailing status to green at the top of this page. A lot goes on behind the secenes to allow that to happen.

We rigged up the wing today and raised and lowered it a couple of times so people could get a basic feel of it.

The idea today is to ease the team into the handling of the boat. I have to remember how 'foreign' this whole experience can be to a newcomer. The handling of the boat is just one aspect of the program.

So today we will launch VESTAS Sailrocket 2 and tow her across the lagoon to speed-spot. We will raise the wing and launch her onto the course, hopefully in modest winds around 18-20 knots. I don't think she will get going as we already have the high speed, cavitating foil in and that needs a little more breeze. We will then recover the boat off the course and lower the wing. I expect the breeze to pick up today and for it to get near 30 knots again... so we won't push it.

I don't mind if it takes a little while for everyone to get comfortable in their roles. As soon as everyone is comfortable we will begin to ramp it up a little. I think it will only be a couple of days.

There are many aspects to a days sailing that people need to contribute to including photography, filming, data logging, Support boat duties, comms etc. Each aspect requires equipment in place and a certain protocol to be followed. There is little use doing high speed runs if it is being filmed or the data isn't being logged.

So here we go. As soon as we have had lunch we will be in the MUSTO drysuits and into the familiar waters of Walvis Bay.

The halyards are just starting their clanking rattle outside... I hope we aren't too late. Oh well, it is day one so just launching itself will be educating and progress of sorts. I get the feeling that we won't be short of windy days this year.

The wing is already a mess from the sand blown over the last two days. No point cleaning it just so it can get dirty again today.

Let's see how we go.

Cheers, Paul.