Subject: Day 1 - these are the voyages of the yacht EnigmaThe day began with the evocative smell of cooking bacon wafting down the pontoon. I could already surmise that some people would play dirty.
The forecasted light fluky winds of 5 knots greeted our pre start manoeuvring. Yet 90 seconds before the start of the 2016 ARC+, we got a free gift of 13 knots to help us over the start line. Being in the thick of it, surrounded by larger ( hence faster) yachts, we unfurled our secret weapon - a Simbo rig Code 0. The sailed opened in a second and was a dream to handle. No sooner had it filled than we started to leave the others behind. We didn't use the pole, just let it sail. It was easy, stable and fast.
Jeremy of Elvestrom - take a bow !
Alas the light fluky variable winds did eventually catch up with us and our progress slowed. Time for our "not so secret" weapon number 2 provided by Mr Volvo.
Despite that, spirits are high and we have been eating well. The days most harrowing and difficult decision was whether we'd eat chocolate or cake with our tea. Luckily Viv remembered the perfect answer " why don't we have chocolate cake ?" And so we did.
And to add to the culinary wizardry going on, we are having a roast chicken dinner tonight.
To Ocean racers everywhere - eat yer heart out !
As soon as the wind gets above 5 knots we'll revert to secret weapon number 1, and we're all looking forward to flying down to the Cape Verde's.
See you soon
Paul, Viv, Allan, and Diane.