Maalu IV - Day 1 Is this really the Atlantic?

After the excitement of a race start (this mostly non race experienced crew crossed the line at 13.20). We sailed for the first four hours and as the wind died and we contemplated 3000 nm at sea there was no debate when the skipper suggested some diesel aided propulsion. Since then we have motor sailed as we head south.

The night watches speed by. Despite being surrounded by ARC yachts it was rare to need to collision avoid as everyone was travelling in much the same direction.

For a while we appeared to be in the centre of an active search + rescue operation run by a powerful launch and airplane. Our AIS alarmed every time the plane passed over us causing some consternation until we realised that there was no yacht in our vicinity. Our hearts go out to those desperate souls who risk such a journey to the Canaries.

Change of watch at 8 am and it was wind 5 knts, swell nil, waves nil - not the Atlantic we were expecting.

All thoughts of breakfast disappeared as we sighted a large pod of hunting dolphins. Having disturbed their breakfast, they came to investigate us and we had an escort for ten minutes before they resumed their hunting.

Shortly afterwards the wind picked up to the 10 knts and we began to cover more ground.

Other highlights, a second pod of dolphins and a whale sighted.

We have now motor sailed 103 miles in the first 24 hours, not our fastest passage by a long shot but surely time for our first celebration?