The Atlantic blog: 3, 2, 1, bang!

22/11 26°55´75"N 16°30´52"W

We barely manage to throw off the mooring to be in time for the start. If we have forgotten something or someone now, it is too late to go back. We get a very warm farewell when we leave the marina, people on the piers waving and the boats that are left behind honking their horns. It dawned on me when I talked to my parents and girlfriend this morning that it was actually time to leave, the same feeling as when you put the safety bar around you in the roller coaster at Liseberg, now there is no turning back!

We arrive outside the last breakwater and are met by the 200-300 boats of the regatta. Most have set sail and are trying to figure out their way through the narrow part of the harbor just in front of the starting line. The multihulls and the racing division start just before us but we are not far behind. Fredrik gives us a great start at the front of the field and More55an extends the distance to the bunch at a fast pace. We hang on to the big boats, the ones that are supposed to sail faster than us based on their size. It's an amazing sight, all 200 sailboats sailing towards the same goal!

The boats heave violently in the waves, at times only the mast sticks up above the crest of the wave. Water sprays over the deck and everyone has equipped themselves with sailing gear to keep the salt water away. The safety harnesses are on as you tend to fall off the benches in the cockpit.

It's my turn to take the helm and I have to work hard to keep the boat on course. The wind is blowing 16 meters per second and we have wind speeds of 16 knots! An indescribable feeling, only motorboats can do 16 knots! This gives good results and already after 6 hours we have sailed 65 nautical miles.

Mathias

(photo by: Mathias Edberg)