A Milestone Tied to Home
“Woohoo! Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere!” Colman exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable. “This is where I was born, and I’m the only sailor in this race born down here. It’s my 10th equator crossing, which starts to feel like a lot.”
Though not yet in the Southern Ocean, Colman celebrated with the traditional sailor’s toast to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. “As tradition befits,” he said, raising a glass of rum, “a drink for me, a drink for the boat, and of course, a drink for Neptune.”
Solar Power and Sunny Skies
Colman painted a vivid picture of life aboard MS Amlin on a stunning day at sea. “Bright sunny sky, blue everywhere, and the boat just cruising along,” he described. His solar panels, soaking up the abundant sunshine, provided more energy than he could use.
“I’ve got so much power, I don’t know what to do with it,” Colman laughed. “We’ve still got several hours of sunshine to go, and I’m already at 100%.”
He’s been putting the surplus energy to good use: making fresh water, doing laundry, and even streaming music. With clean shorts drying in the sun, Colman quipped, “They smell amazing—certainly better than I do at the moment!”
High-Tech Trimming Secrets
Colman also gave viewers a glimpse into the technical side of his sailing, showcasing a customised trimming system he designed to optimise solo sailing.
He explained how traditional winches can be cumbersome for solo sailors, requiring a time-consuming process of removing the winch handle to ease the rope. Inspired by a video he saw four years ago featuring Alex Thomson’s boat, Colman adapted a clever solution.
“I’ve got a little cam plate with a bungee that goes to the bottom of the boat and out to the side,” he said. This setup allows him to ease the line without removing it from the self-tailing mechanism, saving time and effort while maintaining optimal sail trim.
“This system lets me sit at the top of the boat, happily winching away to keep it at the perfect heel angle for full power,” he explained, adding with a smile, “I’m giving away my secrets, but I’m confident none of my competitors can recreate this mid-race!”
Fighting to Catch Up
Despite the celebratory mood, Colman remains focused on the race. “I’m in attack mode, trying to catch up with my other transport buddies,” he said. His days are a mix of trimming sails, staying hydrated, and maintaining his vessel while keeping spirits high with music.
“Life is good,” Colman concluded, signing off with a determined message. “Wish me luck!”
Until this point of the race, Conrad has bounced around in between 20th and 30th positions, at this moment (0914 24/11) he is at 27 – that is mid-pack, but pushing hard and moving up the leaderboard.
Environment Always Comes First
Conrad reported on this rope: The rope was mixed up in the sargasso weed that I was sailing through and it got caught around my rudder. I fished it off with my weed stick and left it to dry in the sun. It’s now wrapped up inside and will be disposed of when I finish.
As the Vendée Globe fleet moves deeper into the Southern Hemisphere, Colman’s resourcefulness and resilience shine as he pushes MS Amlin to perform at its best. With the Southern Ocean looming, the Kiwi skipper is poised for the challenges and triumphs ahead.
