Oh what a feeling!

We finally crossed the finishing line at 23h31 Monday night, greeted at the dock by the staff from the ARC and the St Lucia Tourism board, armed with rhum punches, cold Heineken beers, soft drinks for the kids, fruit baskets and BIG smiles. We could not think of a more exciting arrival.

Even if it not our first crossing, the feeling of achievement is still just as great: 15 days 11 hours 1 minute, 2850nm (2600nm under sail) 27 hours engine time, average boat speed 7.9 knots with top speed of 20 knots (not for very long!). We crossed the line 33rd out of 217 boats, the first family boat and the first australian crew (it is a competition after all, right/) This is for the vital statistics.

On the food front, we still have a lot left, due to overcatering from my part, excellent fishing from the boys. There is no more beers though, Terry doing his bit to lighten the boat (how much do 90 beer cans weigh?)

The boat has made it in one piece (beside the damaged handrail), so has the crew. Our sails are intact, which we're very happy about, when we hear from the boats who came first, at the cost of blown spinnakers.

So yes, we're glad to be here. In fact, we were so thrilled on arrival that long after everyone had left, no one on board wanted to go to bed (it was 1am local time by then) so Terry and I opened a bottle of wine to wind down and celebrate. It felt good at the time, awful the next day! But that's another story...

Photo courtesy of Tim Wright, www.photoaction.com