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Milanto - Fwd MILANTO BLOG FOR DAYs 1 & 2 ARC 2013



We slipped our lines at 1030 to head out to the start line. What a great feeling we are finally to begin our adventure. There is a big crowd lining the marina, brass bands playing and hooters blowing to send us on our way. We slipped out of Las Palmas marina and out to the ocean. 250 boats emerged like ants from the marina all heading to the start line where the start boat a Spanish Navy Frigate was acting as Committee boat. We hoisted the sails and started to manouver into position. Vale is an old hand at this and got us perfectly positioned at the windward end of the start line with seconds to go and then we were OFF !  What a start we must have been 1st or 2nd over the line and could see all the out and out racers jockeying for position. Bit of a scrap going on for best position but too late we already had it ! Lovely wind and sun to start our adventure but that soon changed when we sailed in to a big wind shadow and were becalmed for about 30 mins with most of the fleet. Again Vale's experience got us away from trouble before most of the fleet. Next to be served up by the elements was a squall with rain and gusting winds of 25 knots. When this dropped we sailed in 15 knots of easterly breeze and sunshine accompanied by a 4 masted schooner until sun down at 6.10 p.m.. No sun-downer today as we were all quite exhausted from the start of the ARC, but as a special treat the ARC served up a visit to our boat by a pod of Dolphins. They took a quick look at us and then dived into the depths. Gianni rustled up a nice dinner for us and then we settled into our watch routines. The night shift was uneventful as the wind fell away to nothing for about 3 hours. Our first day and we have already experienced most conditions we will incur on route other than really strong winds. By the time 24 hours had lapsed we had 154 miles under our belt and had started to mesh as a crew and gain some sea legs.

DAY 2  25 Nov

By day break the land has slipped out of view behind us and its next stop St Lucia just 2,546 miles to go !
Quite spooky to think that we are now in the Atlantic and will not see land again for circa 17 days. The day started with 15 to 20 knots of wind, a little overcast and a following sea. Milanto was sailing nicely at 8 knots. As the day moved along the wave size increased and we had some periods with gusty conditions where sail changes were required. We are starting to get to know this boat and how she and we can work together. Lots still to learn mind but that's why we are here. Very few yachts in sight now as the fleet begins to stretch out over the face of the ocean. Gianni prepared a nice salad for us at lunchtime and when complemented about it advised us that it could become standard rations as the oven is broken. Little does he know we have chief engineer and fiddler on board, Mr English is on the case as we speak. Rounded the day off with our first sun-downer a glass of Spanish Rioja. Let the log record that we have 2,546 miles yet to be covered and 34 bottles of wine at hand. Quarter master Wild will skilfully eke this out to ensure provisions last the duration, unless he decides we party big time at the mid ocean point which is a distinct possibility.



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