Georges banks, what a wild ride

I have now passed my waypoint on Georges banks and I'm heading for
Nomans Land island then the finish.

As things go in racing, the first waypoint i set was clear of any
shallow waters, then as Tamarind and Jager kept breathing on my neck I
chose another one much further in, skirting two banks near the Old South
Shoal, clear of a name with the suggestive name "Great Rip"...

Approaching the banks the seastate was extremely confused as at that
stage it was wind against tide, the waves that form, similar to those
found for example near the Needles or many other headlands like Portland
Bill have the uncanny characteristic of coming from complete random
directions with no pattern or rythnm, knocking the boat left and right,
and going downwind with a poled out assymetric made for very slow
progress, at a point I was only managing 2 knots over the ground with a
good following breeze, but a this nasty current and with the wind
continuously knocked out of the sails.

Slowly things improved as the tide turned, magically i was flying in
flat waters at 8 knots, but my waypoint was too deep downwind and i
would have lost time with a tack on an unfavourable angle with lesser
VMG, so i studied the chart and found a passage between two banks by the
Great Rip, not comfortable i thought, but not usafe... as i approached
the passage i started worrying abou the usual what ifs with reminescent
nightmare of my grounding in 2006, so i took the poled out assymetric
down and slowed to 6-7 knots, still a lot in case of grounding...

As i sail towards the passage, i looked carefully for the Rip, which i
expected to be to my starboard, but frankly i was passing between two
banks so it could have been either side. The it is, a distinctive line
of froathy water just ahead, same as at shingles at the needles, with a
standing wave, not too big but quite intimidating. I'm still thinking
about my excessive speed so i luff up but the turbulent water spins me
more than i wish and i found myself head to wind, losing all speed and
all ability to steer, i bear off and try to get some speed but it's too
late, the rip suck me over the bank, i draw 2 meters, depth sounder
briefly reads 3.6 then it gets deeper...

All clear now, past the banks and on my way for the final stretch...
enough excitement for today i hope...

There is wind, but the angle is for spinnaker, i will have to stay on
white sails and hope Tamarind and Jager make no further gains...

58 miles to go.

Lat:41.09N
Lon:70.10W