'The final push'
15 days and 5 hours at sea. Now for the final 250 miles.
I suppose this year's ARC has been quite different to the other crossings
that Hotstuff has participated in. Just like in 2013 and 2014, the crew
unanimously decided that the priority for their journey was to arrive in St.
Lucia with a happy united crew and a happy intact boat - That we would sail our
own race - and that even if we came in a week behind our competitors it wouldn't
matter. But seven days ago, whilst celebrating our avoidance of a wind hole - we
heard news that we were in 12th place in the racing division. There was total
uproar on the boat. 12th! Things began to change. Every day our position
improved: 12th, 11th, 8th, 9th, even 7th. Every day we just continued to sail
the yacht as we always do - efficiently but safely - as fast as we can in the
right direction.
A competitive spirit started to emerge amongst the crew. It has really
pulled us together in these last three days. When the end is in sight it is easy
to pull apart from each other as we look forward to our individual hotels,
families and loved ones.
Now we are going for it. We have our eyes set on 7th place! We are aiming
to be in tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. In a week we must have had 30 kite hoists
and drops as squall after squall have pelted us with rain, 30 knot winds and
roaring seas night and day.
Put the champers on ice St Lucia - the girls are nearly there!
Of course standards on-board have remained impeccable whilst we push our
bodies physically and mentally to our limits.
Sarah's salon opened yesterday. All of the crew have beautifully plucked
eyebrows and painted nails. We all showered today in fresh water from the tank -
definitely a gift for working so hard/empty tanks = faster boat. Of course Alice
and Nikki decided to have their toes done five minutes before the beak on the
pole decided to open itself and all hell broke loose on deck... another visit to
the salon needed!
The galley is still in fine order. Thalitta decided to cook bread from
scratch a few nights ago - at night. The entire crew woke up at midnight in a
pool of smoke running around thinking the boat was going to burn down. Lesson
learnt - don't cook bread at night - but it was such a treat the next morning
especially with some tinned butter.
We are on a detox too after Thalitta (there's a theme her?) polished off the
last Snickers bar two nights ago. It was an emotional moment for all of our
stomachs. We are now resorting to nutella and crackers... doesn't have quite the
same ring to it.
Then on the entertainment side - we had our Christmas Day yesterday (6th
December) and we all gave gifts. It is amazing what nine women can pull out of
their suitcases or create from the various tools and materials onboard. We were
also treated to Mother Milton's (Nikki's mum) Christmas cake turned rum cake.
Delicious!
There has been talk of drinks when we get in - gin and tonics, champagne,
pina coladas and a cold beer definitely on the menu. Virgin cocktails for our
two non alcohol drinkers too please ;)
Thank you!