FINNROSE 28:07.64N 15:25.51W
Finnrose
Mon 26 Nov 2012 12:05
Just after we sent our last blog we went to the Skipper's Briefing where after the weather briefing it was announced that the start would be postponed until Tuesday. Rather unusually for this time of year in the Canaries a depression was forecast with strong winds from the SW and big swell from the N. Nothing unexpected about that really given the Blackledge/Benson/Finnrose history, but admittedly we weren't looking forward to what would have been an uncomfortable 48 hours and not the best start to 3 weeks at sea. Like most of the boats we were relieved by the 48 hour postponement. Some crews had in any event planned to go across the start line on Sunday and then return to the marina before setting out proper on Tuesday.
The delay has also given Richard, who arrived on Saturday afternoon, some time to get used to the boat before the big off. After all the hectic activity of the last few weeks the unexpected couple of days free has also been a welcome break for us all.
However, although the start of the ARC has been delayed for the cruising boats, the Sunday start still went ahead for the racing boats. In the event the weather at the start was not at all bad, but worsened as the day went on. By the evening several of the boats that had set off had returned to the marina!
The delay has also given Liz a chance to leave our Finnrose mark on the breakwater wall.
I guess there won't be any more postponements, so tomorrow is the real start!
