Last ARC+ blog entry!

S/Y Cherish
Peter Gray
Fri 6 Jan 2017 17:22
Day 19: Tuesday, 6 December 2016 - THE FINISH!

Christmas Day. The boys are all with us, anchored in Grande Anse Bay, on the West Coast of Martinique. It’s windy (20 - 25 knots) but sunny, except when the odd squall blows through. The boys have taken the tender to the beach whilst WJ cooks our Christmas dinner of turkey, with all the trimmings. A perfect time to write the last blog entry of the ARC+ crossing that wasn’t!

The light loom on Martinique was visible to the early morning watch from far off, especially to sailors who had seen no light pollution for nearly 3 weeks. We were to the north of St Lucia and bore away to pass to the south of Martinique. I over stood and we gibed a little later than we could have and finally got hold of the ARC team on the finish line. 

Everyone was very excited, not least Anthony and Sven, who were the leading contenders for the sweepstake prize of most closely predicting our arrival time - predictions made shortly after leaving Las Palmas 19 days before. No-one had chosen 6 December, not even Anthony, who had a flight booked on 7 Dec and really needed to be in by 6th. It was neck and neck: Ant had chosen Monday 5 Dec at 2100; Sven Weds 7 Dec at 0900. Anthony won, by not very much!

The ARC finish team warned us that a photographer would be in attendance and not to worry about running him down. A helpful warning as this lunatic in a rib came hurling over, taking photographs whilst controlling the rib at the same time. At times, he was just metres from our bow, as Cherish literally flew to the finish line in a strong breeze, with almost all plain sail (yankee, main and mizen) set, at 7-8 knots - a cracking finish, at 14.14 on 6 Dec, after 19 days and 29 minutes. We covered 3015.7 nautical miles, at an average speed of 6.6 knots - covering 315.7 nautical miles more than the shortest possible distance of 2700 nautical miles. Since leaving Mercury Yacht Harbour on 7 July 2016, Cherish and I had covered 4854.7 nautical miles. Thanks to everyone who helped get her across the line, with special thanks to Robert Leach-Lewis of Blue Chip Marine at Hamble Point Marina, who spent so much time getting Cherish ready for the trip. 

Friday 6 January

Christmas dinner in Martinique prevented completion of the last blog entry for the ARC trip, so here I am with my rum punch in the Bread Basket bar in Rodney Bay Marina, finishing off.

Since the finish, there’s been Christmas and the New Year: Marigot Bay, the Pitons, Malgre Tout, Grand Anse, Martinique and the famous Diamond Rock. So, as I wind up here in Rodney Bay and prepare with some reluctance to return to the UK, may Cherish and all who have sailed in her throughout 2016 wish each other and all who read this a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Peter Gray