Some reflections

As we motor past Barbados, with less than 40m to go and looking like an arrival at lunch on day 21, I have spent the day reflecting on the journey so far.

Sailing any ocean demands a healthy respect and none more so than the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic’s affectionate name of “The Pond”, although endearing, does nothing to convey its sheer scale. For those choosing to cross it an a small sailing boat, it is formidable and daunting and not to be undertaken lightly.

Modern technology has allowed an Atlantic crossing to become both safer and more attainable. However, as we found out on a number of occasions, these developments bring with them additional complexity in equipment and systems, and with this comes an even greater need to prepare the boat and crew thoroughly and comprehensively.

Whilst I had the great fortune to crew on Taboo of St Helier in the 2012 ARC, it is fair to say that I did not appreciate the sheer amount of work necessary to ready a boat to undertake a passage from the UK to the Caribbean, and then contemplate its return. That ocean passage did nothing to sate my desire to undertake the passage skippering my own boat. Reading, as I do avidly, texts of famous sailors who have undertaken this passage, often as a presage to a circumnavigation, has given me greater respect for those who did it singlehanded, and in the case of Sir Robin Knox Johnson non stop around the world, without watermakers or generators!

So against that background, I have asked myself whether I was in some way cheating by joining the 2022 ARC and traveling in the vicinity, if not with, others. I kept returning to the enormous benefits of a loose convoy across the Atlantic. Perhaps without the deadline of the 2022 ARC, I may have not succeeded in readying Carioca. So for that reason alone joining the ARC was worthwhile. Prevaricating is always an option and, as my experience shows, one just has to depart, no matter the state of readiness. Solar panels being fitted in Plymouth 3 days before departure springs to mind. But the other benefit of the ARC is safety in numbers. The intrepid Christopher Columbus, it should be recalled, sailed in convoy on his first trans Atlantic, so we are in good company. I’m sure many of you will recall the sheer heroics of Pete Goss who broke off racing in the prestigious 1996 Vendèe globe non stop round the world race to turn back and rescue a fellow competitor, Raphael Dinelli, whose boat had been overwhelmed in atrocious weather. It is hard to see how Dinelli would have survived had it not been for Goss sailing for 160 miles over two days, against the wind, and being knocked down a number of times. That display of community amongst sailors epitomizes the spirit of the ARC, and is why we sailed with them. We saw that in abundance this year with boats going to the rescue of the dismasted TakeOff and the radio discussions we overheard of boats helping one another with technical issues.

As we approach our destination and look for our first glimpse of St Lucia it will be a moment of joy, tinged with sadness. This journey has been so many years in the making – the dreaming, the planning the sharing with friends and family, and now my first skippered crossing is nearing its end. No more endless rolling ocean, no more scooting along under the star filled skies, like a runaway roller coaster following the path laid out by the moon, no routine of waking from the night watch to breakfast on the gin & tonic seats, and lazy days reading.

No doubt we will hit the town hard later today and this sadness will be a thing of the past, with dreams of the next chapter in the Atlantic circuit. Sue, Tor, Ollie and Lauren will be coming out in January and I can’t wait. Sue will join me again in the Virgin Islands before the journey back across the Atlantic; so much to look forward to.

Highs?

For me I was enchanted by the French cruising grounds; Concarneau, Belle Isle and Glennon. Porto Santo near Maderia was very special as was our time in Porto. The sheer majesty of the Atlantic has to be the highlight though.

Lows?

None – any issues we encountered were all learning experiences, for which I am grateful.

I would like to thank Sue for being such a strong support in allowing me to experience my life long wish. To my friends who shared the journey: Pete, who shared the entire journey of over 6000m, and has been a rock and a great friend, Rich, Andy, Paul, John and Dennis – well done team. And, finally to everyone who gave us support and love through the blog. It was very much appreciated.

I will post some more of our transat photos when we have Wi-Fi.

All the best

Peter