The Race is finally underway! We left the pontoon to the sound of  rousing Spanish opera that was blasted across the marina, and crowds of waving specator lined the breakwater and seafront. The start line was like every races start line despite all  the skippers being reminded that this is a 3000 mile ocean race and to be senisble. The line was marked by a Spanish "battleship" which was really quite small , and quite hard to see amongst the melay of the boats. The IRC class started a few minutes ahead of the main fleet;  Ellisa had good start and was amongst the leading pack across the line, Unmissable we hoped as she flew her massive union Jack.