We're off......

Zahara: The story so far......
Ron Dunn
Mon 23 Nov 2009 11:12
The atmosphere yesterday for the start of the ralley was amazing with flags flying and bands playing all around the marina. Hundreds of locals came down to see us off, giving a real carnival atmosphere. There was also the matter of 220 yachts all leaving at once for the start line. 
  
Light winds at the start soon gave way to force 6 NNE winds and building seas, giving us a very testing nigh  but Zahara and her erstwhile crew coped well. At the moment we are pretty much dead dowwind with a double reefed main and a small genoa. Winds are 20 to 25kts and seas 3 to 4 M. We are doing around 6 kts with the odd surfing excursion towards 10 Kts! down below, we are trying to rearrange the boat before the sea does it for us but failing miserably!
 
The forecast does look good though with winds decreasing around force 4 and saying in the perfect direction.
 
So, we have made a fast start which is nice but we have a long, long way to go......