Nightfall on day five brought much stronger winds and demanded a close haul sail. We were doing 7-9knots most the evening. It was dark and the moon only rising around 12pm when our Gennikar started unfurling!!! Delphine and I were on watch and everyone asleep.

I could hear the sound of a luffing sail but couldn’t figure out from where? None of the sails we were flying were luffing. We were on a port tack and had a almost full Genoa out which prevented us seeing the furled away gennikar. Furthermore, the furling drum was fully lock so we had no reason to think there was an issue there. But later we realised we hadn’t put enough extra wraps around the sail with the sheets and the wind snuck in and ripped it open. Really terrifying.

I ran to the foredeck and shouted for Delphine to drop the spinnikar halyard whilst I tried to gather the sail in. I almost had it but a gust ripped it from me. Big Alex came running out to help and we both tried a while in vain whilst it flogged around. Finally I ran back to the helm and used the boat engines to bring her into the wind and throw the sail back onto the boat. I gave the helm to Arabella and ran down to loosen sheets and try help gather. Alex, Apple and Delphine were putting their bodies on the line trying to stuff the sail down into the hatch. Not sure of the damage to the sail yet but luckily nobody injured. Very scary though on a dark windy cold black night. Well done Alex, Apple. Arabella and my brave wife.

Will update more when we arrive.

2 more sleeps.