Meet the Fleet

The Transat Classique fleet in Cascais

Now we are all together on one pontoon, battle flags issued and doing the final fettling prior to the off. We're in good company - The Blue Peter is next door, with the immaculate Sea Lion along the pontoon. We're also sharing space with the J-Class Endeavour who is here until January, and a couple of casualties from the Vendee Globe, both dismasted mere days into their round the world race.

One of the Vendee Globe boats with a jury mast rigged and half her guard rails missing

Today we completed our registration and took one of our sails for some chafe patches, as well as scrubbing the hull. The weather gods appear to be smiling too as the rain stopped, and the grib files for the start of the race show favourable northerlies, decreasing as we approach the Canaries and then turning easterly as the Azores high establishes at last.

Croix des Gardes under a rainbow

Finally, Elizabeth had a surprise visit from the tooth fairy last night!