Happy to report we are exactly 253 nm from St.Lucia as I write this note.
The crew is both elated and reminiscent – what an adventure this has been! That
first day we introduced ourselves, that first impression, that first meal...
then the practice on EH01 – it all seems a long time ago. I think we are all
proud of each other and ourselves which was one of the goals no matter our
‘reason’ for signing up. Mixing racing champions with nautical enthusiasts who
masquerade as professors, accountants, engineers and doctors seemed at odds but
PYR knew what they were doing and my hat goes off to our very experienced
Skipper, Andras.
We are placing bets on arrival time (Sunday late night/Monday early
morning), playing ‘spot this island’ and continue to be challenged by Andras’s
unrelenting ‘instruction/enthusiasm’ to go faster – “bearing is 280...not 285”;
“go for maximum speed”; between the windex, compass, bow movement, SOG and boat
speed readings our heads our spinning. However, I can confidently speak for all
the crew that we have all improved our sailing skills.
Our retirement from the race did not effect our enthusiasm and Andras never
let his infectious drive down as we are going for speed, trimming, hoisting,
reefing, and encouraging each other these last hours together as Team
EH01.
It will be an emotional docking as we frantically wave to our family and
friends who have patiently waited – with pina coladas in the St.Lucia sunshine –
for us to arrive. Saying goodbye to strangers who have become so familiar, such
good friends that know many stories about you... will be hard. We have already
planned a reunion.