Crossing the Atlantic Ocean!

Land Ahoy!! At 9 am on the 6^th of December, we could suddenly see a faint dark shadow mounting towards a high cloud formation on the horizon ahead. Frenesi was pushing ahead relentlessly through the blue water under the spinnaker that we had hoisted in the early morning. The sound of the water masses that are pushed aside by our heavy bow and the fizzy noise as the white bow wave blends back with the sea after the boat was broken by the shouts onboard. Where? Is it land? Yes, I can see it! It’s land!!

We had been at sea for 14 days and the last week had contrasted to the first. On the 7^th day, winds picked up to 18-22 knots and waves mounted as the steep following wind sea from the east blended with a 3-meter swell from the north, creating more motion in the boat. The comfortable spinnaker sailing from the first week had been traded for white sails, sailing wing on wing with poled-out genoa on one side and the main sail on the other. The autopilot steered us as the hydrovane required us to reduce sail to cope with the seas. But slowing down was not our first choice. We were sailing well in the upper half of the ARC+ fleet and our boat behaved very well in the more demanding conditions.

We got used to the conditions a few days into the second week and gave up wishing for better sea states. The squalls with short periods of heavy rain and increasing winds that had been with us during the second week were no longer frightening. We were at peace and focused on fishing among other things, yielding a 12 kg mahi mahi. A beautiful green male with its high forehead was onboard after a short fight with Janne and Fredrik, and on our plates a few moments later. The next mahi meal was fish tacos in the sunset in the middle of the Atlantic. One of many dreams was fulfilled.

During our last night at sea, the forecasts promised lighter winds and a veer of 30 degrees further south towards the morning. We awaited the wind shift that would allow us to hoist the spinnaker and stay on one tack the full day without gybing. With remarkable accuracy, the promised weather came, and we followed the plan. The current pushed the speed up to more than 8 knots and the faint land contour grew into colors, shapes, and more details as the hours went by. In the afternoon we rounded Glover Island just south of Grenada, hoisted white sails in a gybe as we turned north for the final 4 NM bit to the finish line. Martin and the kids gathered on the rail, and we had goosebumps as we thought of years of preparations, months of sailing, and now weeks on the Atlantic while we looked at the palm trees along the white beaches and the dense rainforest further inland of Grenada Island. It was a strong moment.

We crossed the finish line after 14 days and 9 hours! After a short swim in the 29-degree water, we headed for the dock in Port Luis Marina in St Georges, Grenada. Cruising friends and ARC crew came to greet us with flags and cold rum punch on the dock.

We were grateful for a safe passage without major challenges and were proud that we managed to cross the finish line as the 38^th boat out of 94 despite being one of the smaller boats in the fleet. A few days later when the results were published it was official that we had the fastest corrected time of the entire fleet, and we won our “Division”. Who would have guessed?

This also marks the end of the ARC+ chapter that will stay with us close at heart. It has been an amazing experience both socially and in terms of providing a positive format and framework for the Atlantic crossing.

The days after the crossing quickly filled up with social gatherings, boat work, scuba diving and exploring this amazing island with an interesting history. One highlight was a hike to The Seven Sisters Waterfall.

Now, we are enjoying our last hours in Grenada before heading north. We are at anchor west of Carriacou, one of Grenada’s northern islands. Last night we celebrated Lucia with a BBQ dinner onboard in the sunset. Just west of us is a small sand island with palm trees and a coral reef that we went to explore snorkeling. This is Caribbean and it is beautiful. Sadly, the hurricane Beryl struck the area violently last hurricane season, and it will take some time for the area to recover.

Later today we are aiming for Union Island of St Vincent and the Grenadines. More about that next time.