The Dark Side 2

The next night, or was it 2 or 3 later, we charged into the blackness with our smaller 4S Spinnaker. Heavier material and more 'bullet proof' in roughly 6 foot swells.
As day sailors we look ahead and select where to position ourselves among the waves and swells. As a nighttime driver, you blast into the blackness with blind faith, literally. Wind speed becomes your friend to keep charging as you angle through the swells.
Even with high teen wind speed we broke loose above hull speed and surged down the darkest hole to maximize progress toward our heading.
Now about six hundred miles offshore, your first watch in this night had a glow of the moon through the overcast, and sometimes even a glimpse of it. Back on deck four hours later, the moon was invisible now and the blackness prevailed with an occasionally recognizable star.
These nights I stare out, and can see red lights. Staring in other directions, I see more distant red lights... which are not really there.
With 1000 miles to go, we are using light air regatta racing techniques to make any progress at all. Still working the boat for any improvement.
We are still a team, getting closer with R-rated humor. Still self sufficient, but still without visual contact of the other racers, as we test ourselves in a new way of perseverence.
Not the experience I expected, but another unique view of the dark side of the ocean.

Andy