. . . apparently still has a hold on our boys at sea.
2011Jul07-0600, 33.37N-119.55W, Bar 1012, Wind 6 knots at 270, 24 hr. DOC 78, Sea 1 meter (comment @ 360), Cloud 100 percent.
No records were broken last night. Narrow Escape continued to move west however earning an I bet hard fought 78 miles in the last 24 hours. Their relative performance continues negative compared with many of the July 4th starters however.
The "boat for boat" leaders have extended to about 50 miles in front of NE. But that is not the bad news. The bad news is they still need to get about 175 miles further west before reaching any kind of reliable and stronger winds. The good news is they are predicted to be sailing in generally improving conditions all that way.
There is forecast to be more wind this afternoon and early evening than yesterday and while the wind will lighten again tonight there should still be some. And maybe some more good news. Depending somewhat on whose forecast you believe if the improving wind does not move further east, or stay on later tonight, the current scenario seems to suggest that none of the leaders will quite have the legs to get far enough west, before the wind lightens again overnight, to be able to break out into the more reliable and stronger synoptic wind. Such wind still forecast to prevail over most of the course for an extended period into the future. That means it now appears less possible that they will be sailing away in 15 knots of wind at a better angle while NE languishes for another overnight in 4 to 6 knots of wind. It is likely that the entire fleet of Monday starters should encounter the offshore winds over the course of Thursday's already improving trend even closer to shore.
It's all about damage control until then. Unfortunately we expect NE to continue to lose ground on her fleet for the next 24 hours. Limiting the amount will play a pivotal role in the catch up game when things improve.
Further offshore the wind all across the course presently ranges from 15 to 20 knots and at an angle Narrow Escape likes.
We remain on the edge of our seats here at the Narrow Escape Home Office.
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