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Exody - Day 1 - Spanking Start



Conditions were perfect for a fantastic ARC+ start cheered on and snapped by the WCC Yellowshirts - even checking on our fruit/vegetable delivery from the photography RIB. The final morning had been as hectic as the previous 17 days of preparations in Las Palmas, where we had arrived after a 2300 mile three month cruise from Scotland. We had one crew wife waving from the shore plus John and crew from a fellow Clyde boat doing the main ARC. With the big cats starting 15 minutes ahead we were out from our berthg amongst the Cats in good time but found a twisted reefing line so down came the 'just hoisted' main to re-reeve and tie the second reefline by which time we found ourselves almost the most distant boat from the startline at the 10 minute gun. We managed to close the start mid fleet bunching up close round the large orange committee boat.

The winds and conditions precisely reflected those forecast by Chris Tibbs - gentle enough for the start but progressively increasing such that we averaged nearly 8 knots over a four hour period - best we have ever done - and by the end of which we were down to double reefed main and well furled genny - with winds consistently gusting over 30 knots for a spell - it was a roller coaster ride and a rather more robust introduction to ocean sailing for our two crew than we (or they!) had anticipated. A spinnaker was blown out by someone - as forecast by Chris and finally here we are 10 hours in (again as forecast) devouring penalty points to motor out of the Gran Canaria windshadow!

The sunset and moonrise were stunning and the near full moon (waning now unfortunately!)had someone wondering about moonburn.

It's a huge relief to be finally under way and to give the credit cards a break - at least for the next week or so!

Peter

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