Update before the official start

10th November

Ian returned to Lisbon a week ago to do some last minute chores, one of which was to replace the rigging on Nuts.  He was not happy with the quality of the stainless which he bought here on the island (316 ss is unavailable) and it had started to rust already.  He bought new 316 rigging from a riggers shop but had to fly home before he could complete the job.

When he arrived at Belem marina, 2 other Setkas had joined Nuts and he was delighted to meet up with Bart, a Pole living in the UK, and Erdal from North Macedonia.  They had a great deal to talk about, ideas to exchange, anecdotes to recount, and so on.

Ian, Erdal and Bart

Once again the Yate Clube de Lisboa made them very welcome and held a dinner in their honour so they had the opportunity to meet the club members.  They each gave a short speech relating their sailing adventure thus far.  They even made a promo video which they posted on Facebook.

On Saturday 9th the three boats, Nuts, Pixel and Ancymon, headed out of the marina and down the Tagus River to the open sea.  Some club members accompanied them on their own boats.  They headed well off shore into deep water beyond the Continental shelf in order to avoid the orca whales.  That added a lot of extra miles to their route but better spend a few more hours at sea than encounter an inquisitive killer whale.

They arrived at Sagres after dark on Sunday night.  Facilities are very limited there and they found the mooring uncomfortable and not secure enough in a big blow..... which is on its way.  The weather forecast is for a huge storm to move into Southern Europe in the next day or 2.  Not only will it be packing a punch of Southerly wind and waves, but it is also very extensive and will last for days.  

All the contestants have agreed to postpone the start, scheduled for 11th, until they can get a break in the weather, and right now that is undecided.  Not wanting to see out the storm in Sagres, all 3 boats left this morning and headed for Portimao, some 20 miles to the East, to join the 5 other Setkas taking part in the Challenge.