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Windleblo - Day One



I asked the crew for their impressions of The Start and our first day at sea. Here is some of what they said.

The Coach -- "The most emotional time for me was as we were leaving the marina and the brass band was playing and the crowds were waving to us from the north and east breakwaters. That's when I fully realized that we were actually going to cross the Atlantic."

John Hoopes - "For me, the start signified the beginning of the end of my passage into adulthood. I see this voyage as the completion of the process of coming of age. When I land in St. Lucia, I will be a man."

Turns out both siblings view this voyage as an important moment. Luna could not stop the tears as she cast us off, the sight of Windleblo, her European home, leaving Europe was too much for her. She sees this moment as the end of her transition into adulthood.

Joules -- " The spirit of saying farewell to our new friends on the dock, and then watching them waving from the shore was remarkable. I will remember those moments for the rest of my life."

As for me, I found fascinating the sight of 230 ARC boats surrounding us as we crossed the start line. So many boats, so many different ensigns, so many colorful head sails, all beginning a transatlantic voyage. This truly was a "once in a lifetimer."

After so long on the dock, we are finally under way. The preparations are over and we are alone on a vast sea. As I write this, we enjoy a broad reach with 20 knot winds as dolphins play on our bow.

Life is good.

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