After the Nikki Beach party yesterday, a slightly more subdued crew headed out for a day of racing. Wind was the usual easterly at 15-21 knots, so J4 jib it was again. Might as well sell all the other jibs or turn them into handbags for the girls. I’m just saying…

A good clean start (phew) and we were beating upwind, then kept easing sheets to port all the way to the finish under spinnaker. The finish for this race was just off Nikki Beach, all to remind us of the excesses the previous day. The crew headaches were now gone – we suspect we all had a bad shrimp, and just the normal body and sun aches resumed. Next race started there and continued the circumnavigation of the island back to the original start off Gustavia.

Boat topped out at 20 kts today – flying along with warm water on the decks and over some of the crew.

Back to the dock – hardly broke anything which was a result. Finished 3rd in both races, but within touch of second. The other Cookson 50, Kuka, is leading the class, and has proven hard to beat.

Final day tomorrow…

Well that was an action filled day! Out to the start for 10am and then off on a 30 mile jaunt round rocks, islands, and race marks in the standard breeze for this week – 17-20 knots from the east (ish). The start was heavily pin favoured so all the boats stacked up there to start. Unfortunately we were over at the gun – means we were trying, and suffered a 3% time penalty as punishment. So we had some making up to do. Beating up the course to the turning mark we were going well, and soon hoisted the first spinnaker of the day – the largest A2. Speed quickly built to 15+ knots as we tore along, passing boat after boat. Crew work today was a step up, and the tactical calls kept us in the game. We were the first across the finish line for our class, but with our penalty we adjusted to second place.

So a 3-2-2 so far, and in 3rd place overall. Everything to play for on Friday and Saturday as tomorrow is a lay day. Beach and relaxing are on the cards.