What a welcome! The crews of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 already in Barbados hailed Croix des Gardes as she entered the Port of Bridgetown with an impromptu concert of foghorns, cheers and applause. After twenty-five days at sea the young Elizabeth, just 7 years old, was completely taken with the light-hearted commotion on the quayside. The Kelman family’s crossing, aided by father and son Dave and Ollie Spensley Corfield, has been a magnificent experience for the little girl and her brother Matthew.
Saturday 29 December is going to be a busy day with the arrival of three competitors who have been inseparable since the start of the race. Artaius is expected to cross the line just before daybreak, while Cipango and Gimcrack will continue to battle it out into the afternoon. Despite her computer problem which prevented her from sending and receiving messages, Cipango was able to contact the race director everyday for a weather forecast. The message sent this morning has that end-of-race feel about it and the crew are putting all their effort into defeating their friendly foe, Gimcrack. With nearly four weeks of ocean sailing under their belts, the crews seem to be in a hurry to make landfall and meet up with their extended family in the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 to share memories and emotions. As for Marie des Isles, she will soon be crossing the symbolic threshold of 1,000 miles left to run. It has been an amazing maritime and human adventure in which patience is the principal virtue.