Yachts are arriving in Mauritius to a very warm welcome. After a wild, wet and windy 2300-mile passage they are being met at the finish line by the helpful Mauritian Coast Guard and escorted into the harbour. Once they have cleared customs they tie up in the spectacular Caudan Waterfront complex where their recovery from the trip is assisted by the luxuries available in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. There is never a dull moment in the Caudan Complex, last night a dozen Morris Minor cars dating from 1948 was parked on the quay as the local Morris owners club gather to celebrate the ‘British Old Lady’. This morning there is some filming going on with Bollywood music blaring out and assistants scurrying round holding sunshades over the stars whenever the cameras are off.

Crews are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Windflower, due in today. The crew have been battling rudder problems for most of the passage so will be very glad to arrive safely. Conditions have been challenging on this last leg with a low threatening to develop into an early cyclone and huge waves most of the way. Both Tallulah Ruby and Windflower suffered near knockdowns. Tallulahrubian Jeff Sullivan was thrown across the deck with half of his body overboard; fortunately his harness saved him. The rest of the crew are well but suffering from flying book and cornflakes and cornflake attacks.

The passage was over very quickly for some yachts however with Baccalieu averaging 200 miles a day and Kealoha 237! Both Branec and Kealoha narrowly beat the World ARC officials into town and were established in the Keg and Marlin bar by the time we caught up with them. Cleone, one of the tail enders is now reporting ‘Cracking sailing conditions’ with the trade winds settling in again so should be here soon. Some yachts elected to stop of in the Mauritian Island of Rodriguez so will be in around midweek.