Atlantic Crossing Eastward Day 1: Anchors Away

We are provisioned up and the boat and crew are ready. The current forecast has us heading north toward Bermuda. Winds are forecast to be light NNE, so we will be sailing up wind, but not into the wind for once! If the forecast prevails we will land in Bermuda in 5 days. However if there is a change of forecast we are ready to reroute directly to the Azores.The forecast to the Azores is showing light winds so our challenge will be finding wind as opposed to dodging storms. This is the better alternative as we can use this time to settle into our routine.

The weather patterns in the North Atlantic have been very changeable. No storms just a series of weak highs that come and go. Hopefully the “Azores High” will form by the time we get to Bermuda. One of the advantages of going to Bermuda is that we can sit there and wait for a weather window.

We raised anchor at 7.30 am with light winds and headed out. We did a MoB drill on the way out and managed to recover the fender successfully. So we continued past the south end of Antigua and into the open Atlantic. We are sailing in a nice 14 knot wind.

Until everybody gets familiar with the boat we will do two person watches on a 3 hour rotation. I sleep on deck to be available for call up if needed (as I did coming across from the Canaries).The crew are relaxed and ready for the challenge.

Update at 9.00pm We are making great progress, completing 80+ miles in our first 12 hours. Curently moving along nicely at between 7 and 8 knots in 13.5 knots of wind, on close reach with the main and code 0.. The sea state is also favourable, long two meter waves. There are a few showers around us, but we have stayed dry. We are starting our first night shift. Crew are all well and very much enjoying the smooth ride. Position: 19 19'N, 63 49'W SOG: 7.2 knots COG 20 degrees (M)