Gitana - We're really going!

We're off! Sunday was the start day for the Atlantic Rally and a day full
of emotions and activities. With the atmosphere around the pontoons
buzzing, Gitana was finally ready to, last photos, last phone calls,
cheerio to new friends and neighbours and then time to slip the lines.

The ARC team had music blaring across the marina, the procession of yachts
made their way out in to open water, cheers, waving, shouts of fair winds
and fine sailing and off we went. It was an overwhelming feeling for
everyone, the harbour walls full of people coming to see us off and the
reality kicking in for us that after all the planning, the problem
solving, the hardwork - we were finally going!

If anyone was ever in any doubt about joining this event, the people you
meet and the variety of boats really is something to behold. Everyone
with their own goals, but all happy to share them with others. Seeing the
children with their parents, friends, families, strangers and seeing the
absolute happiness as we left and listening to them chattering on the
radio over the last 24hours has been brilliant.

Hoisting the sails is one thing, switching off the engine marks the real
start, 5 minutes to go, headsails out, 1 minute to go, see the line, set
our course - the race begins. We stayed clear of the jostling, the line
was large enough to take a wide crossing and head south around the coast
of Gran Canaria. At one point we seemed to be right at the back of the
fleet, then an update - we were 2nd in our class and surrounded by yachts
left, right and centre. The media boat comes over broadcasting live
online, we get to shout a farewell and thanks to family and off we went.
We all started on deck together, chattering, enjoying and marveling, still
doesn't quite seem real! As the sun started to set and we finally started
to turn away from land, the last few texts out to family, we started our
watches. Dave was tasked with dinner, Des on the wheel with James by his
side and Mike and I relaxing after the sail handling.

Dinner? Spag bol (without the spag). It was delicious even though we
were rolling around as we sailed downwind and stomachs were slowly trying
to get used to the new motion we had introduced them to! That said, this
dinner was just another practice round in prep for the Gitana Bake Off
between Dave and Mike, a pair of competitive cooks - Dave won the Prawn
round last week! (Any suggestions for a GBO round gratefully received -
If you're at TPA, send them to Miss Masters!!)

First night sail was stunning, clearest skies any of us has seen in
years! It was also busy with yachts all around us, crossing each others
paths, chasing each other down to overtake and get a good position, green,
white and red lights everywhere! Moonrise was spectacular around 9pm last
night and it stayed with us through to sunrise this morning. Now, there's
no land, 9 yachts that we can see and the journey continues as we
goosewing our way down wind, just under 600miles to our turning point
before we head West to the Caribbean.

Remember you can ask us anything (within reason) and we can answer via the
blog - we'll have a Q&A blog midweek!

Hope everyone's well :)

#nextstopstlucia #arc2018 #sygitana

Kx





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SY Gitana