Crew member on IRL1416 Cape Arrow

11.30 - Start

Weather could not be better, 15-18 TWS blowing from 110, sun, little waves. I am sure nobody on board is regretting being here and not in the offices! Unfortunately Claudio did not recover and he quit. Walter, Fabrizio and first mate Carlos Carrer will handle the bow on their own.

Heading out the harbour we passed by the jury for safety check. As per Notice of Race the 16 of us wore lifejackets and was on starboard guardrail for the count.

Mainsail up, genoa unfurled. Ready for start procedures.

We started at 11.30, with just 5 seconds delay on the line, on the stern of Bella Mente. Few tacks with genoa and full mainsail and we started crossing other yachts of our category, and soon after we started passing few beautiful smaller yachts belonging to different classes.

After clearing Kettle Bottom Shoals we headed at good 10.5 kts close hauling and then fetching to Barbuda. As soon as wind was coming from wider angles we switched on outboard short sheet and then we deployed staysail too. Angles allowed sailing deeper and after some time gaining water and sailing higher than to buoy, we hoisted A3 gaining a good 10% on VMG to bouy. Nefertiti was fighting with Idea and they were sailing a bit higher than us to defend their position, leaving us the room to get closer and closer, reducing the gap they gained upwind.

Mark rounding saw us engaged with Nefertiti. She passed first but we were about to overlap her. On the buoy we beard away, hoisted our A2, gybed, dropped A3 and opened A2. A perfect customized gybe set (we are using snuffers!).

Now we are reaching trying to close the gap with Nefertiti. Sunset is coming. Lights are getting milder and milder. My wife would say: "c'e' una luce dooolce!".

PS: Sophie prepared quiches with broccoli and pancetta, spinach and, for the young babies on board, cakes with almond chocolate.

Stay tuned!!! See you in St.Kitts and Nevis