After an excellent stopover where the crew were able to relax and enjoy the city we were getting itchy feet and ready to sail again. We were touched by the enthusiasm and the support of the city during the stopover and on departure day when what felt like thousands of people lined the river to wave the Clipper 70 fleet off.
We had a tricky start line with tide pushing us up the river and over the start line but the fleet got away cleanly and hard work from team Derry~Londonderry~Doire saw us first around the windward mark, first around the wing mark and cross gybing with Garmin as we left the River Foyle. Light winds as we left the river mouth saw our lead being eaten away and the first night saw some massively tight racing with our positions changing regularly.
We raced into the evening with our stomachs full of Sunday lunch (Thanks Leg 8 crew member Eimer’s Mum) and with the wind steadily increasing. We are now under spinnaker and passing west of the Hebrides rounding our second waypoint. LMAX Exchange currently leads the fleet 1 nautical mile ahead. There is some very tight racing between the entire fleet that means this race is going to be a battle right to the end with any boat being in with a chance.
Being just over 10 nautical miles west of Barra and listening to the familiar sound of Stornaway coastguard made me realise that I am now truly sailing through Scottish waters. We haven't crossed our track yet but it is beginning to feel like we are almost home although there will be plenty of tricky sailing still to go. Long days, rain and cold temperatures are a constant reminder. Hopefully we'll get a chance to see some of the great scenery too.