After a month of non-stop sailing from Antigua to England via the Azores, S/V Legacy and her crew have safely arrived in Falmouth, England.
To say that it has been the adventure of a lifetime is certainly an understatement.
Once they crossed the Azores and started heading towards England, the wind began to play a game of cat and mouse with the boat. This continued until Friday, the 29th of May when they finally found the westerly wind. I guess you could say this wind was infamous because boy, was it brutal! A wind from the west which gusted to 30 knots had the vessel surfing 10 foot waves and clocking speeds of over 10 knots.
By Sunday June 1st, the weather began to get wild; Legacy experienced 20 foot swells and managed speeds of 11 to 12 knots coming down the face of the waves. Captain Williams remained undaunted and determined to complete the entire journey under strictly sail power. Storm force conditions hounded Legacy until Tuesday June 2nd when shore support received the following message,
"OK on board... wind 29 knots, surfing 8-10 knots, wave period 8-9 seconds. Seas big, sailing on reefed jib only".
Wednesday's weather improved, and Legacy and her crew continued their approach to Falmouth, entering the busy shipping channels. The countdown began as crew members obsessively tracked their final approach into Falmouth, messaging back and forth, happy that the end was finally in sight. On Friday 5th of June at 1924GMT, the team's UK contingent warmly greeted Legacy and her four man Atlantic crossing team with champagne upon their arrival in Falmouth, England.
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| Legacy, always a sight to see, sailing into Falmouth Harbour |
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| The British team awaiting Legacy's arrival |
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| They even did a little fishing at Lizard point, waiting to escort Legacy in |
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| A happy crew, anxious to step foot on shore |
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| Nicole, eating a well-deserved meal |
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| Len and Reggie celebrating with some good English food |
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| Some of the Trini crew having drinks to the boat at TTSA |
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| Len's family celebrating in Canada, thankful for a safe passage |
CONGRATULATIONS
ReplyDeleteReginald , Nicole,Martin ,Len I had no doubt that you were going to make it SAFELY as you have done on all your voyages before to your support teams at home in the UK and around the world well done BRAVO ZULU. Now on to COWES the SOUTHMAN IS HERE to show them what Trini's are made of and the name Legacy will be remembered for a long time.
I know what it means to set foot ashore after a long and hard voyage (FOXY'S )
Sailorman Joe
Legacy Crew....Congrats on the completion of the first leg of your great adventure! We are all extremely proud of you!
ReplyDeleteWe are basking in the glow of your significant accomplishment!
Here's hoping to see you for Cowes Week!