A Great Start

Juniper
John and Sally
Mon 23 Nov 2009 11:47
26:34.600N 17:30.283W
 
We had a great start with only a small number of boats ahead of us off the line, who were in our group. Gennaker for the first 5 hours then blew out the block shackle at the top of the mast so limited use until the weather calms. Dinner was venison (must be a fleet winner!!) followed by the happy news that Guy is a Gramps. We are only allowed to call him that for a day he says.......
 
Overnight the wind freshened as we expected and a roller coaster evening ensued with a top speed of 13.1kts at around midnight. We are eagerly awaiting the first fleet results news because we have taken (we think) a different strategy from most of the fleet. All will be revealed at some stage.
 
225 boats started at 1300. By 2300 we could see the lights of about 20 and this morning we can see 2. Not quite like the M25.
 
All OK but conditions are bumpy. We are sailing downwind in 20kts of wind and 4M seas with sunny skies. Glad when that clears.
 
John, Jonathan, Guy, David