Logbook
THE ANTIGUA RACE
The Antigua Sports Challenge took place in Caribbean waters,
a place that challenged our crew as it should be!
Day 1 : Arrivals
After arriving safely in Antigua, our team took a cab to Shirley Heights. A barbecue party was organized there with a concert as a bonus! They were able to take advantage of this beautiful evening! This first evening was relaxing for our crew who rested well from the trip with a breathtaking view of the bay and the sailboat.
Day 2: Preparations
On this second day, the group slowly wakes up on the sailboat rocked by the water. Workshops have been set up to prepare the sailboat to face the sea! The team was divided into 4 groups: 1 for sail maintenance, 1 for boat electricity, 1 for checking the engine and the last one for paint touch-ups on the sailboat. This day allowed them to familiarize themselves with the boat and acclimatize to the heat of Antigua.
Day 3: Indigo Construction's crew is ready!
Indigo Construction's squad wakes up once again gently on the sailboat. The team starts to resume the workshops of the day before on the preparation of the boat. This preparation is very important for the good functioning of the boat. The last preparations/finishes are made to bring a personal touch to the boat. The ''NAME OF THE YACHT'' is ready to go to sea!
Day 4: Departure
Our team's long-awaited first sea trip is finally beginning! This outing will have been quite difficult because of sea-sickness (the crew's ¾ suffered from seasickness) and the mastery of the manoeuvres. Despite these drawbacks, they were able to adapt quickly and stay on course! They learned to master the different manoeuvres and to coordinate themselves. Great teamwork!
This first outing was therefore a success.
Day 5: One practice before the race
The crew is starting its second sea trip and its first race. The match racing started at 11am against the legendary Maiden! This race will have lasted a long time and our sailors will have shown their strength and fervour. The team in shape and "Top Shape" will have done very nice maneuvers on the boat during the race!
What is the Maiden Sailboat?
In 1989-1990, a young 26-year-old British woman, Tracy Edwards, shook up the very male world of sailing by entering the biggest round-the-world race with an all-female crew (the forerunner of sailing with a female crew).
Day 6: last day before the race
On this sixth day, Indigo Construction begins its third 3-4 hours sea trip. Our sailors are increasingly sharpening their manoeuvres!
Thanks to the favourable weather conditions (light wind), the crew is setting out the mainsail in its entirety! A nice evolution to see that two days before the crew was sailing without it!
In addition to hoisting the mainsail, our sailors were able to take out the spinnaker (one of the sails) and carry out gybes under spinnaker (a manoeuvre which consists of changing the boat's position in relation to the wind by taking a tail wind). This outing took place with other boats taking part in the Caribbean 600. Thanks to all these beautiful conditions, a race sequence or "match racing" took place between the boats.
This is the end of the adventure for Indigo Construction, the return to Montreal was difficult. This adventure has been very enriching for our sailors, full of encounters and discoveries. Our team will have braved the sea thanks to their solidarity, team spirit and bravery!
AHOU!!
Photo credits: Marie France Lecuyer