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Hot Stuff - blog start day



We all tried to start the day with a good breakfast. Skipper Sophie and First mate Thalita had worked through the night to fix our last minute equipment issues so they especially needed to start the day with some nice food!
We filled up the water tanks for the last time and had a little safety quiz from Sophie which we passed with flying colours. Our shore party of friends and family took some team photos then waved us off!
We were one of the first boats out of the marina and were serendaded out by a marching band. It was so special to see so many people on the breakwater waving us off (and a few dogs!) The water was pretty calm but most of us had to change into warmer kit as we prepared to race. Turns out we were a little too eager as we were too early for the start gate where the ARC were going to check us into the race. We didn't mind as this just meant another lap around and some more waving from the crowd!
Watching all the boats gather for the start was amazing. On seeing that we were a boat of ten women, we had some offers from some other competitors who wanted to join us - sorry guys, buy us a drink in St Lucia!
We hoisted our sails and we were ready to race!
The start sequence for our division started at 12.35 and we were right amongst the action. Sophie was keeping us on starboard tack and we were dancing with the other boats along the start line, an incredible atmosphere. Unfortunately boat Cavallier on a Port Tack collided into us as we were on Starboard, forcing us to head back into the marina to assess the damage. Safety comes first in our team so we know we made the right decision. Watching the fleet disappear over the horizon as we headed back to the marina was pretty tough but we are an excellent crew and we intend to catch up!
Everyone in the marina has been so kind to us and we've even had some free nibbles in the restaurants so every cloud as they say...
Girls for Sail in the UK are working tirelessly to get us back on the water and Sophie and Thalita are doing the same here. The team is sticking together and we are ready to race! Hot Stuff is also desperate to get to the Caribbean as she is not enjoying the rain here in Las Palmas.
Keep your fingers crossed for us! We are still hoping for the adventure of a lifetime and the rum-punch on the other side!




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