Welcome to Hotstuff's Atlantic Crossing blog 2015.
Everyone we met in Las Palmas seemed so fascinated at what it would be like
to be onboard with us. Their eyes seemed to widen in amazement and awe as we
explained the challenge that awaited us; Nine strangers (before Monday last
week), all women (assuming there are no stowaway boys?!), a Beneteau First 40.7
(our modestly sized racing yacht), an international team - UK, Italy, Grenada,
Germany and Switzerland; 3000 miles of Atlantic Ocean.
Throughout our journey we hope to share our experiences with you and give
you all an insight into exactly what it is like to be onboard.
The team:
Thalitta - a paramedic from Switzerland looking for a career change.
Ullrike - from Germany who has given up her job in shipping in search of
adventure.
Sarah - from Cheshire, UK warming up to a round the world sailing trip with
her husband.
Ashley - Italian from Grenada, a political science student taking time out
for sailing.
Karen - from Brighton, recently retired from the NHS and looking to spend
as much time as possible on the water.
Natalie - from Germany, a student making the most of new experiences.
Jane - from Winchester, shortly turning 60 and wanting to push her comfort
zone.
Alice - our first mate from Norfolk - professional dancer turned expert
sailor.
Nikki - our skipper - hoping to smash her previous Atlantic record of 18
days 18 hours and keep the crew sane.
The adventure:
The morning of the race turned out to be our first drizzly one since being
in Gran Canaria which felt like a sign that it was time for us to leave. We
nervously assembled on the boat at 09:30. Leaving the pontoon at 11:00 and
crossing the startling at 12:45, we bid farewell to the crowds waving us
off.
There was no time to be nervous or emotional as we were catapulted straight
into 30 knot gusts and roaring swells all day and all night. Not for the first
time we realised the challenges we have and will face together. Bring it
on!
Discoveries of the first 24 hours:
- Thank God for wet weather gear - totally essential.
- Life down below at night is so dark it's like being in a mine shaft with
our little red lights (head torches = another indispensible and very
attractive[?] piece of equipment)
- Putting your clothes on the correct way round is overrated.
- COOKING IS HARD: 6pm and we 'cooked' our first meal of the voyage which
turned into quite a drama. Boiling water flew across the saloon when the kettle
handle fell off in Jane's hand. The first swearing of the journey occurred with
Jane proclaiming "sod the f****** chicken". It was a vegetarian dinner last
night.
Watches started in the evening. Alice and Nikki helmed throughout the
night. Top speed reached was 11.7knots. By 8am we had covered 150 miles. St
Lucia - we are coming!!!