Great downwind sailing for the ARC fleet on St. Andrew's Day
It’s St. Andrew’s day today, and Scottish ARC entry ‘Hunny Pot’ were able to take a short break to celebrate while new helmsman ‘Wilson’ took the heel (see picture). Alongside the fun and games, the fleet has been getting to grips with their spinnakers, as they experience the thrill of riding down the Atlantic surf.
Despite earlier
bemoaning her male crewmembers infatuation with their four spinnakers, Sheila
onboard ‘Gunvor XL’ (GBR), was beginning to see what all the fuss was about; “I
have to admit it can be very exhilarating to ‘drive the machine’ down the big
Atlantic rollers and feel the surge of speed shudder through the boat, to the
wheel, right to your very core. And so, you see, I have also fallen for
the siren call of the sexy spinnaker”.
Meanwhile, a few boats at the front of
the fleet had their sights set on some records. If ‘Rayon Vert’ (FRA), ‘Med Spirit’
(RUS) or ‘Rothmans’ (SWE) cross the finish line in Saint Lucia before 18.17.30 UTC
on Thursday December 1, then a new ARC crossing record will be
established. Also, ‘Vaquita’ (AUT) the Open 40, is on
course to smash the ARC racing division crossing time.
Visit the ARC website at www.worldcruising.com