Photo by Tim Wright of photoaction.com

It was only a 4 race series due to high swells and winds but we had a great time despite the 5:30am wake up calls to get through the 7:30am bridge! We were tied last night with the guys on Storm for 2nd with the cookson 50 untouchable. The race today was up to the NE side of the island and back it started in about 23 knots of wind so we carried our number 4 however, it moderated to a consistent 17 knots on the east side of the island so we struggled with the number 4 to keep speed but decided not to do a change down to the 3.

At the top mark we hoisted the A2 and stormed down the run until we had an unfortunate explosion of the sail in only 19 knots of wind… not good… we quickly hoisted the A4 and at the bottom mark we put up the 3 and reached into the finish. On the downwind leg we pulled away from Storm. The Chance crew from San Francisco who chartered the boat I think had a good time and did a good job of sailing an unfamiliar boat. I will now organise repairs and fly home to San Francisco for 9 days.

Photo by Tim Wright of photoaction.com

Yesterday we had a mixed batch of races but with 1 mile legs on the three windward leewards it was hard to stretch our legs and save our time on the Swan 42s. Today we had a windy race around the island and unfortunately with damage to our spinnaker we didn’t really get going however, we still came 3rd in class which wasn’t too bad. With the forcast looking windy tomorrow they race commitee have decided to not have us race to Marigot and anchor. This was a popular move from the boat captains perspectives as no anchoring for us is a positive.

We were finished by 12:30 today but had to wait for the 3pm bridge which was mayhem as usual causing me to have a few quiet heart attacks. The cruiser/racers don’t understand how hard it is for pure race boats to hold a position in 25 knots of wind without at least a knot and half of boat speed. With such thin appendages and light weight boats we just get blown around and also have no way of steering without a flow over our rudder and keel.

Safe and sound at the dock with the sails at the sailmaker it was time to go home where I made salmon, over couscous with watercress and a sour cream, caper, shallot, cucumber, radish sauce. I can hardly keep my eyes open but the boys have rallied to go to a party. I am up at 5:30am again tomorrow to go to the bakery for fresh bagettes and the sailmakers to pick up the repaired main. Time for some sleep.