Nocka swims nude

by Stig [Westergaard] on 28 May 2002 Sailing wise, we have been here before. Just a fraction behind the fleet.
We lost a bit last night when we had to send poor Nocka [Anthony Nossiter]
down for a refreshing, as he calls it, swim to clear some serious seaweed
of the foils. It was pitch dark, only the moon gave him a hint of light to
work with. Dressed up in Adam’s costume, the big fellow took it on as few
would have. It was pretty cold the water, after observing Nock, about 2
cm, I would say. We got the boat going again, and have caught up some, so
they (all the others in fleet, again) are only 12 miles ahead. Absolutely
doable, especially now the winds are supposed to lighten up a bit. That
normally gives a little more to work with. And downwind even more so.

As for me, the trip has been somewhat of a test. For the first 24 hours I
struggled hard to keep my gut contents in place. Somehow the first day
out is always the worst (in terms of gut content), and some sacrificed
to the goods what ever they had inside. We even had some of the guys with
most miles under the keel do a little heave. Which makes me feel very
macho. As you all know it is somewhat of a shame to heave, out here on the
water. I wonder why, as it is only a sign of a perfectly working sense of
balance.

Just as we came to the last corner and started to have a more open angle,
and I looked forward to having all my calories intact, we got hit by a
massive wave that sent between 100 and 200 tons of water (at least so it
felt) straight onto me. So I got washed legs first into the steering
pedestal and bruised my thigh quite badly. That made me feel even more
nauseous. So the pain and the waves almost got me. I had to make a burp
with a little content. Just a small one. But not a heave. So the rest of
the leg up until now has been pretty one-legged for me. Long John Silver
they call me (because of my stiff leg, I take it). Luckily it is not so
bumpy now, so the rest of the trip could end up being enjoyable.
Especially if we manage to get some mileage into the leaders. Forward,
Scandinavia is waiting. Home to half the crew. And I don't think I am
alone in saying that we miss it. Denmark, Norway, Sweden here we come. The
dragons are going home.