Joe Harris left Charleston, South Carolina this morning bound for Newport, Rhode Island, 780 nautical miles away. It's the first time Joe has sailed Wells Fargo - American Pioneer (Gryphon Solo) single-handed. The voyage is in order to qualify for The Transat, the grueling solo transatlantic race that starts from Plymouth, England later this year. Race regulations stipulate that in order to be eligible as a competitor you need to sail a voyage of over 600 nautical miles aboard the boat upon which you plan to compete. The voyage must be non-stop, unaided and it must be sailed alone. So, with bright sunny skies overhead Joe set off on what will likely be a very difficult sail to Rhode Island. The former owner of Wells Fargo - American Pioneer, Brad Van Liew and his boat captain Jeffrey Wargo helped Joe set sail from Charleston. Jeffrey was on board to help with the sails and get things settled, and then Brad pulled alongside in a RIB and plucked him off leaving Joe alone for the first time. The bright red yacht heeled to the stiff northerly breeze and Joe settled down to a long, hard slog to Newport.
The forecast is for a strong northwesterly wind to blow for the first 48 hours of the trip. Under ideal circumstances Wells Fargo - American Pioneer could do the trip in less than three days, but with the wind blowing from the direction he's heading, Joe can expect a slow and very difficult passage. It's likely to get dangerously rough when approaching the notorious Cape Hatteras, the easternmost point in North Carolina, when the strong northerly winds collide with the strong north-flowing Gulf Stream. Any seasoned sailor will tell you that when wind and tide meet on the open ocean, it can be hell for sailors. The conditions are likely to test Joe and his new boat to the limit.
Anticipating foul weather Joe is planning on leaving his email computer tucked safely in the navigation station and sending report the old fashioned way - via telephone. We will bring you a news report daily as well as a weather and position report. Stay tuned to www.gryphonsolo.com for the first reports from on board.
- Brian Hancock (great.circle@verizon.net)
