This is first blog - although on Thursday just about coming into day 4. First three days fantastic sailing - plenty of breeze and sea. Those who brought foul weather gear very grateful for having done so. Great feeling at start - such a range of boats - and although not racing great to see Maltese Falcon. Many old favourites on the line with a variety of professional, hired and paying crew. Saw fellow Royal Burnham Yacht Club boat, Selene with Adrian and the gang. Lovely conditions for the beat start. Now on Thursday, the conditions we signed up for - 20k - Easterly - long Atlantic swell - T-shirts and shorts. Has been a cracking race - plenty of wind and water over the decks necessitating full oilies for most nights and days. Everything very wet. So far in Caribbean trip have been ashore in Antigua and rounded or gone past, respectively, Nevis, Saba, St Martin (saw a 747 take off), St Barths, Guadeloupe and just about 2 miles from Northern Sails mark on NE tip of Antigua - behind us we have High Tension and in front Hound. We've been in contact since South West Guadeloupe. Just had a slight problem with A5 which resulted in a wrap. Only other major problem so far (apart from usual and predicted halyard damage) was broach and Chinese gybe when hit by massive squall of St Barths. Easily recovered with minor damange to S2. Islands look truly beautiful whether close-up or from a distance. Monsarrat at ~ 4am looked spectacular, its upper part shrouded in cloud. We have, in contrast to the ARC where we only saw a few dolphin and flying fish, seen a whale, multiple flying fish, multiple turtles and moor dolphins. Heat and sun very intense from about 0730 - catching a few of us out. Now intent on maintaining pace till finish - which is an anti-clockwise circuit of Antigua - Barbuda now in sight!! A few pics from start and today. Hope to do a further blog later.
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