The end is nigh

Tomogilvie
Mon 7 Dec 2015 19:06

We were expecting the wind to drop off slightly as we near the finish line but, far from it, we’ve had a cracking 24 hours with average speed 7.2 kn since 1 p.m. yesterday.  There have been a couple of moments when the autopilot has not managed to hold the line and we’ve rounded up into the wind, but mostly it’s been plain sailing!  We dropped the genoa to try to lose a little power and are flying just the asymmetric and a small stay sail.  ETA is rapidly coming forward from Mid morning Wednesday to the small hours Wed morning.  250 miles to go and there’s no let up to the blow.  Quite a ride.

Many thanks to Nick & Alastair for trying to identify our sightings yesterday. Nick retcons the whale was a Sei, Minke or Bryde's and there are two suggestions for the bird; long-tailed skua or Tropic bird.  I’ll let you know if I get a definitive answer from the locals when we arrive. 

We’re looking forward to seeing land tomorrow.  We’ll pass Martinique 14 nm to our right before we get to St. Lucia, then go between Martinique and St. Lucia, before rounding the North of St. Lucia and heading back into wind to the finish line and Rodney Bay.  

So the debate on board now (apart from sweepstake on arrival time) is what the first shore-pleasure should be; beer, shower, cooked breakfast, swim, sleep for 8 hours? I think a champaign breakfast could be in order - but first I have to persuade David that it’s not the done thing to motor across the finish line!