Good progress for GryphonSolo2

by Joe Harris on 7 May 2014 GryphonSolo2’s Joe Harris updates us on progress in the final approach to Charleston.

We have made good progress in the last 36 hours and are on final approach for Charleston - now about 115 miles away - so an early morning arrival tomorrow likely. We had some great downwind sailing yesterday after rounding Hatteras at dawn, with northeast winds at 20 k we were first using a smaller fractional A-6 kite and then changed to the larger A2 running kite and enjoyed some short surfs on the rolling wave pattern. Unfortunately that 'champagne sailing' downwind in the bright sunshine transitioned slowly into a SW wind blowing directly from Charleston, so we have been beating for a while and will beat our way to the finish. We are managing our diesel fuel consumption and should have enough to power in from the outer sea bouys as it is a long eeight mile channel into Charleston past historic Fort Sumter.

Pat and I have been talking a lot about the upcoming Atlantic Cup and we are feeling ready to give it our best shot starting on Saturday. The work list is not too bad but we will be busy once we hit the docks. A shower wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

So I will break now and hopefully email tomorrow from our slip in Charleston City Marina where 'Atlantic Cup HQ' is being GyphonSolo2 website