Panama to Jamaica

As usual in this part of the world things do not always go to plan. We had our transit time throught the canal, but we were delayed on the Pacific side and missed our slot to exit on the Atlantic side. This meant that the three boats - TF, Cape Breton & Singapore who transited together spent a night moored in the Gutan lake. Not so bad really since an impromtu party was started which end in the small hours on the morning. After breakfast we waited for our pilot before entering the locks on the Atlantic side, a significant moment for many since this signaled the start of the return trip home. As the gates opened, some cheered and some had a tear in their eye as a realisation that this great adventure was now entering it's final leg.
After a brief stopover on the Atlantic side we departed for the sprint up to the island of Jamaica. After motoring for several hours (to find wind) all of the boats collected at the designated start point for the race start. Most races our started by the gun through a defined start line, this race was different, in that, we used the "Le Mans" format. All boats motor in line with main sail hoisted and head sails hanked on and prepared for hoisting, all crew are situated behind the "coffee grinder and are only allowed forward on the start signal. On the one minute to start signal, all boats cut the engines and maintain their course, on the start signal there is a frantic race forward to hoist the head sails and power up these monsters. We had a great start moving into the lead and maintaining that position as we hit very bumpy seas with 25 knots on wind on the nose. This made for a very uncomfortable ride and several people suffered with sea sickness.
We had a good ride up until we managed to put a hole in the main sail, this meant dropping this sail down to the third reefing point and repairing the sail.This lost us some vital miles which ultimately affected our final race position. Again, really frustrating that another equipment failure cost us vital points. In the end we entered Port Antonio in Jamaica in 4th position which put us back in 2nd position overall. The Australians continue to pull ahead and we have to put in a concerted effort to catch them.
We say good bye to some leggers, Cathy, Carole, Carolina and Colin, all have contributed to the Team Finland cause and I'm sure that we will see them again somewhere, sometime. We welcome new leggers, Martin, Nigel, Anna and John who are all eager to get going.
Race start to New York is scheduled for Monday at 14.00hrs local time.
All well on Team Finland.