Our epic first journey in Sarah Mercedes is complete. It is hard to believe that it was less than three months ago that we left a positively autumnal Finland and now we are here in the warm Caribbean sunshine, nine stops in seven countries and 6500 miles later.
It has been the most fantastic experience. Challenging and enjoyable in equal measure. Needless to say it has been the people who have made the trip so memorable. A special thanks goes to Martin and Sam who did an excellent job on the trip from Finland to the Canaries making sure that both the boat and crew were ready for the transatlantic journey that was to follow. Our friends at Nautor have also been very supportive in sorting out the teething problems that come with any new boat.
As for the crew that sailed across the Atlantic, I couldn’t have asked for a better group. For most of them, the only person in the crew they knew before we left was me and yet the group fitted together perfectly with everybody being aware of others strengths and weaknesses. Stephen has been tireless in his quest to find ways to do things better. Peter is called Trusted Pete for good reason. Haff has immersed himself in the worlds of weather, routing and first aid as well as being a marvel in the galley. Rob has been a tower of strength when we needed it most, helming for hours on end. My son Sam has kept everyone in good spirits and the skipper on an even keel (not an easy task). My heartfelt thanks and congratulations go to all of them, they have much to be proud of.
Furl the jib!