Well folks, the fat lady has sung and we’re here to tell you that Mari Cha III, the 146′ carbon fiber ketch which holds all sorts of elapsed time records is…really, really fast! In lighter wind conditions and with a less favorable wind angle than last year she took 20 minutes off Beowulf’s record for the Guadaloupe to Antigua course. Very impressive. What is really cool is that she was sailed by just her eight person delivery crew. The rig on this ketch is so agressive – she has a hugely roached main and mizzen, like us – that they have to reef every time they tack or jibe.

Beowulf followed a respectable distance behind – we were close enough to still see them as they finished – and ended up as the overall fleet victor on corrected time.

This is the first time we’ve “raced” Beowulf with crew and it was fun having some extra hands aboard to help out and socialize with. Dan Neri flew down from Newport to make sure we trimmed his lovely sails correctly. Dave Wyman, an old sailing friend for years came down as well. Dave will sail Beowulf back to the States with us in the next week or so. Finally, Richard and Katy Findley took a week off from finishing their own cruising boat to re-charge their batteries and help out.

The Antigua Yacht Club is talking about having a cruising boat regatta late next spring. Two or three inter-island reaches and maybe a couple of day races. There may even be a husband and wife class. Sounds like great fun, so stay tuned. If it comes off, this would be a great event to participate in with a charter boat.

We’re doing a few chores right now, getting ready to head to sea, and I’ve just turned on the weather fax to get a feel for this spring’s pattern. Hopefully we’ll be able to ride the Bernuda high circulation with only moderate fronts to spice up the voyage.