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Monster project - We've arrived in Rodney Bay



Well here we are in sunny St Lucia, having completed the ARC in 12 days, 1 hours and finishing in 2nd place overall. We were greeted on arrival by a friendly local in his boat: “Well-com to da Caribbe-ahn” and then by the welcome sight of the ARC staff bringing instructions, tropical fruits and an ample supply of rum punch…

After all the thrills and spills of the first half of the race, the second half seemed almost sedate by comparison, with the breeze easing sufficiently for three consecutive afternoon sundowners featuring the Monster Project playlist by DJs Andy (Skipper) and Nell (crew). Some of our guests cooked up a storm in the galley on day 11 and all of us were working hard on our tans for the last day or so – in between the occasional rainsquall which provided helpful opportunities for showering and shampoo!

Overall the trip was a roaring success – a team of 17, 10 of whom had never sailed offshore, only 6 professional crew yet we were able to pull together to keep the boat going fast despite the very physically demanding conditions early on. Moments of pride include successfully working together to overcome such interesting challenges as dropping spinnakers in torrential night-time rainsqualls and retrieving burst kites on two occasions after the combination of breeze and sea-state proved a little too much for the kites (“Send it or end it” being our racing motto!). Plenty of exhilarating moments at high speed with the boatspeed comfortably outdoing the windspeed – 29.45knots at one stage –and spreader-high spray (a euphemism for “waterfalls”) coming over the deck, as well as more relaxed times enjoying beautiful sunrises, sunsets and sunny afternoons to dry out our waterlogged feet!

Hats off to the professional crew on Caro who arrived ahead of us to claim Line Honours and a new ARC record, but all in all a remarkable achievement for our predominantly novice crew to finish in second place. We were all very happy to have hot showers, large steaks, cold rum punch and finally a solid night’s sleep on arrival in St Lucia! We wish fair winds to the other ARC and ARC+ boats that are still making their way across the southern Atlantic.

We’re looking forward to some more high-speed adventures in the Caribbean season, kicking off with the Round Barbados race on 17 January and followed by the RORC Caribbean 600, Heineken Regatta, Antigua Race Week, and other events at the various islands. Visit www.volvo70charter.co.uk for more information.




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