Nisida - We're off

Current position 27:20N 16:48W

A hectic start to our race, boats crowding around us, two crashing into each
other ,whilst we, as a new crew, wrestled with
getting up our first spinnaker. Making a fast start to the race was a
challenge as the winds remained around only a steady 10 and we managed a
speed of about 6. There was a short spell of winds 15-19 as we accelerated
past the airport before the wind settled back down again as a pod of
dolphins appeared alongside us. Supper was a delicious pork and vegatable
casserole cooked to perfection in the pressure cooker. Watches started at
8.00 with Carl, Tasha and Jane and the wind picked up to 20 knots and for a
while we sailed along at just under 10 knots and at one point we could see
we were 11th in the fleet. Sadly this was to be a short lived spurt of speed
and the night bought lighter winds and lumpy sailing and by the morning we
were in the doldrums. But we had expexted this weather pattern and we remain
optimisitc that our chosen route is the right one!