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Gitana - We made it



It's now 16:44 local time (20:44 GMT) and we're in St.Lucia! Sitting on the waterfront having had burger and chips we're sitting watching other ARC yachts as they arrive in the marina.

Crossing the finish line at 10:44am St.Lucia time was just insane. Having had a few issues with the engine which was sorted, then returned, then being almost becalmed for 4hours yesterday afternoon, we watched our last few miles slowly tick away. The wind filled in and Gitana flexed her wings once again and off she flew. Running towards each waypoint on course at 6kts+ Gitana had a great 24hours to finish.

There was an almighty shout of 'Land Ho!' this morning, James had been up throughout the night to watch the course and make sure we were going to get to the North coast of St.Lucia. As the sight of Martinique to our right and St.Lucia ahead and to our left, the mighty volcanic peaks started to rise out of the horizon higher and higher. Other yacht started to appear around us, some leaving Rodney Bay others arriving. Safena and Tintin were nearby, we heard Purple Rain chatting with Riri and Attitude and the local fishing boats starter to appear in the waves around us.

As we continued on our course, the green of the hillsides started to appear, the houses on the coast did as well and we could really see the magic of the land we were about to be greeted with. As we rounded the north coast, the breeze dropped briefly, Gitana settled again as we maintained our course, Des was armed with the local charts, James on the helm, Dave and Mike ready to tackle as we approached the finish and me at the back, armed with the VHF and looking for boats, wind shifts, the finish line and supporting the direction shifts. Approaching pigeon Island, the wind lifted again and off we went, the photographer arrived and there should be some amazing pictures.

We radiod the finish line who gave us our final directions, catamarans start appearing from behind the headlands and we had to navigate a course around them as slowly the southern end of the finish line came into view, a ketch sailing yacht with a bright orange pennant flying from her rig, a few moments later the orange buoy marking the other end of the line appeared and we're nearly there.

With less than a mile to run, the wind speed went up, we start to lean as we're now driving Gitana upwind towards the ketch. A few more catamarans appear coming out of the bay and we push, push, push.

As we approach the line, we start talking to the finish boat on the VHF, they're watching us closely, we get another lift from the wind and drive, drive, drive... Nearly, are we going to make it? Last minute we tack across the line and on channel 74 "Gitana, Gitana, this is Arc finish line, welcome to St.Lucia and congratulations!"

Amazing!!!!!! We're in, completion time 10:44 (14:44 GMT) 18 days, 1hour and 44mins to cross the Atlantic. 3rd over the water in class, mid fleet and an amazing achievement.

We head towards an anchorage to have one last attempt to clear the prop and get the engine running! Anchors downs, sails away and cheers, hugs and tears for our arrival! Dave is already ready in his swimmers and mask and splash - he's off!! Straight under the boat, cleared the weeds, GoPro in hand checked the prop and it's clear. James starts the engine tentatively and all ok, it runs ahead, it runs astern... We're ok!

Time to call the marina to get our berth, ARC berthing answer my calls on the VHF and we're on C pontoon, got our marina plan in hand and off we go. As we motor in, other ARC yachts start clapping and cheering to welcome us in, the atmosphere is already more than we imagined. Arriving at our pontoon we can hear a kettle drum being played to welcome us in, Claire from the ARC is there ready to catch our lines, Riri is next door having arrived a few hours earlier.

We tied up and from a trolley next to our berth, we are welcomed with a beautiful fruits basket full of goodies and a very welcome rum punch! Claire takes our arrival photos and the mood is that of disbelief, amazement that we did it, it's hot, it's calm and suddenly the sails are away and we're in port... How did that happen???

Shortly after we hear TinTin come in, then Safena, our VHF saviours during engine issues and the last week's remote boat friends! We welcomed them in and finally got to shake their hands and thank them for their moral support, advice throughout and being the voice on the radio that became a real comfort to hear.

We're here! We're in the Caribbean!!!!

After sorting customs and various essentials, we went in search of food... Burgers, chips, beers for the boys and large coke for me. Even the walk to the restaurant felt like the world was going up and down, completely disoriented. Apparently it wasn't just me, Des felt the same. The boys on the other hand, the beer seemed to help!!

Now, it's 17:05 local time, Caribbean heavens have opened, we're all showered, clean, spoken to family, it's raining heavily and we're catching up with new friends we made in Las Palmas and those we made over the radio! The ARC isn't finished for anyone yet, the buzz of the final leg has really been something that I hope I've been able to give you a glimpse of...

simply amazing, overwhelming, a weirdly unique yet shared adventure we've just had!

We're not finished yet with the blogging... Watch this space!

So for now, in true Caribbean style... Where's the rum gone?

Welcome to St.Lucia Gitana! you've been amazing!!

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