“It’s been like this, or worse, all night,” Colman said in an overnight update, his exhaustion palpable. His setup—two reefs in both the mainsail and fractional sail—was often effective but occasionally overpowered by the brutal conditions.

Dancing On The Edge

In a race that demands both speed and caution, Colman navigated the knife-edge of high performance, averaging over 19 knots with peak speeds exceeding 29 knots. “We’ve been doing these crazy surfs,” he remarked, describing the ceaseless rhythm of acceleration and deceleration as his boat surged over towering waves before slamming into the next one.

The scale of the waves was almost beyond comprehension. “It looks small on camera, but it’s huge. Mountain-sized waves,” he explained. Each crest and trough tested both his vessel and his nerve, as he pushed to maintain control and momentum through the chaos.

A Tangle In The Sheets

Even with meticulous preparation, things can quickly go awry in such extreme conditions. While furling a sail to slow down, Colman encountered a critical issue: slack sheets wrapped around each other, creating a knot. This prevented a tight furl and left the sail partially exposed to the wind. “To save the sail, I had to take it out again,” he said.

In high winds, the situation escalated from inconvenient to precarious. Colman struggled to regain full control of his boat, noting with some concern, “I couldn’t slow down, which is a little bit worrisome.”

Silver Linings And Hope

After hours of unrelenting strain, a glimpse of blue sky appeared on the horizon. “The front is coming, and it should be clear afterwards,” Colman reported, explaining how a progressive wind shift signalled the end of the stormy conditions.

For Colman, the promise of calmer weather brought hope—not just for easier sailing, but for a chance to rest. “If the wind gets below 30 knots, I’ll be happy. Maybe I can get some sleep then.”

The Unyielding Ocean

Colman’s overnight ordeal is a vivid reminder of the immense challenges faced by solo sailors. Every knot of speed, every adjustment to the sails, and every decision is a delicate balance between maximising performance and maintaining safety.

With his eyes set on the horizon, Colman continues to push forward, embodying the resilience and determination that define the sport of offshore sailing. As dawn breaks, bringing calmer seas, one thing is clear: Conrad Colman is not one to back down, even when the ocean throws its worst his way.