What it means here is that the wind has moderated somewhat from the strong gust we had yesterday, but it is still averaging 20 / 25 knots out of the North / North East.  So it would appear the trades are firmly with us, making this rally easier for most, but from a racing point of view - one in which tactics are not going to be of any use.

There is no need to choose direction any more – just get away from the island - point the bow at top end of St Lucia – and trim your little hearts out for maximum speed all the way.

Shame really.  If we’d been able to strategise and go in differing directions, it might have helped us get up in the placings, but unless they change our handicap downward, I’m not sure how well we’ll do.

At this time we’re rated at 1.077, and Anteater with its 6 man crew, rated at 1.109.  They are both high – and it looks likely they’ll make ours higher still now I’ve advised them we’ve a spainnaker.  A quick look at our ‘fleet’ gives them the following equally high handicaps:

Hanse 540 – 1.140

Hanse 531 – 1.100

Hanse 430 – 1.067

Hanse 411 – 1.020

Hanse 371 – 0.966

When you compare this with say, Beneteau 57’s – 1.068; Oyster 55’s – 1.045; Moody 46’s – 0.998; you can see they clearly expect the Hanses to fly.

Still – it’s a rally not a race.

Cleaned off the boat yesterday and the divers came and did the same below the waterline.  They reported it was slimy but not too infested with the local coral worm that can grow in this harbour at an alarming rate.  It is now as smooth as a babies bum.  Cost 90 euros.

Sue oiled her trimmers and gave both me and James from Blue Heron a buzz cut.  The girls got busy giving provisioning advice to a boat full of race boys who came back from the shops with trolly loads of beer, coke, chocolate and fruit juice.  Sara wanted to he hoisted to the mast top so we obliged.  No fear shown.   An impressed skipper and crew.  Gerry who hates heights, panicked every minute she was airborne.

And here’s a shot Sara took looking back at our deck from the top set of spreaders.  It’s a good way to see how Swagman carries her width right to the back.  Which along with underwater profile, is why we’ve so much space below and slide off surfing so easily.

You can just see me taking my photo of Sara from the left side of the jetty.  Sue’s on the winch. Those girls cleaning and loading fruit on the both behind us are Hanna and Lucy off Nooka.  Its Matt and Hanna who are going on through to NZ.

Enjoyed a nice meal last night at Hotel Santa Catalina with Gerry and Sara and then slipped into the final farewell cocktail party organised by the ARC at the shoreside Bar / Club.  Impressive free booze (whatever u wanted) right up to midnight.  This medication helped us both to ZZZZZZZZZ away despite winds hunting the boats around and we slipped off to the patter of raindrops on the deck.

Today we check out with officials, sort our a missing beer order (probably buy it from local supermarket), see Sara off, probably quiet meal tonight with Gerry, then Happy Hour at 2300 – then fireworks at 2400.  It’s nice to be participating.

JOHN