At the moment we just started the 2nd race of this year, The North Sea Tall Ships Regatta. This is a race where we do not have to race from A to B as fast as possible, but we have to make as much sea miles as we can in 5 days. I do not have to explain that sailing fast is necessary for this. There are a few assigned waypoints between which we can sail. That means there are a lot of possible routes. We have to calculate with the ships sailing capacity, currents but mostly with the wind. It is a bit of tombola with weather routing and a lot of fast sailing.
After a nice start we lost the lottery. Our weather information suggested that a eats-north-easterly heading would be favorite. At the moment we are sailing to the north to go around the first waypoint. What that will bring us be clear tomorrow…

Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam