After a frustrating day's delay to the start of the Garibaldi Regatta, the fleet mustered some way off Genoa and we were finally off!! Captain Barbara had ordered the crew to set every sail in the locker and the braces were overhauled to the special 'Barbara Marks' to obtain maximum advantage over our rivals. We were in Napoleonic territory: light winds took us south-east towards Elba while other ships steered towards Corsica - alas, somewhat ahead of us. However, as darkness fell in the first night watch (i.e.
Forward Port, the authors of this blog), Barbara's ploy paid off. The wind strengthened, forcing the watch reluctantly to hand 3 of the upper sails, including the rarely set upper spanker (note from Robin, Watch Leader - that's a nautical term). We were tearing along now, making up to 10 knots, and surging ahead of the rest of the fleet - a state of affairs that was sadly short-lived. By the time your faithful bloggers were roused out of their bunks for a hearty breakfast, we had been mysteriously overtaken once again. But never fear: Forward Port is now back on watch with an annoying number of ships ahead ... but not for long... More anon.
Forward Port (Robin, Martin, Kieran, Catherine, Kay, Sam, Nigel, Elaine, Michael and Helen)