Strong breezes afforded a very fast
sail overnight with two sail reaching and the first sight this morning was not
a whale, dolphins or an albatross but alas Beau Geste around 5 nautical miles
to our port side and passing us doing at least 20 knots! What a sight…she will achieve line
honours at the very least and perhaps race record, well earned and well sailed!
 |
| Ross having a hard morning at the helm |
With only 100 nautical miles to go
all crew are enthusiastic about arriving into safe harbor later this evening
and passing the finishing line that has been marked on the electronic chart
with a blue cocktail glass! Think
the Skipper is pre warning all what may lay ahead after a dry crossing!
Around 70 nautical miles from the
finish line and the Pacific Ocean gave us a taste of what it is capable of - big
solid swells and 32 plus knot winds!
Salacia sailed through with great helmsman ship from the Skipper, Ross
& Ron …. well done boys you rose to the challenge!
 |
| Ron and Annette enjoying the stronger breezes |
Salacia and her crew sailed across
the finish line at 2304 Australian Eastern Standard time and were greeted by a
Zodiac with officials from Cercle Nautique Caledonien/Noumea Yacht Club. They kindly escorted us to our
protected berth and we welcomed aboard the Race Officials and members of the
Club who handed us a huge bag filled with French fare including but not limited
to baguettes, cheeses, salamis, Bordeaux wines and French beer…what an
incredible welcome at the early hours of the morning!
The entire crew sat in the cockpit
hugging and congratulating each other for a fantastic passage and safe journey
to calm waters and of course toasted with French beer, Australian red wine and
finished off with Guatemala Ron Zacapa (for the uninitiated that is a liqueur
type rum) and deemed nectar of the gods…we all agreed and had another toast and
then crashed to our respective cabins for a peaceful, calm sleep!
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| Five's at Sunset |
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