Artemis Transat Start
Press Date 11 May - Steve's Start - Kim's perspective.
As we slipped our mooring and headed out through the dock gates towards the start line of the Artemis Transat 2008 on a beautiful warm sunny morning, the smile on Steve's face was obvious. We left the humdrum of the race village with its seemingly unending entertainment, market stalls, and spectators, old friends and well wishers, which had been our life for the past week.
With final fairwells, we left Steve and Spirit of Weymouth, and Jumped into the RIB with just minutes to spare before the race start.
Steve was ready to go, chomping at the bit to get down to the job in hand, sailing almost 3000 miles across the unforgiving North Atlantic.
Steve has to 'take it easy' during this race and simply get to Boston. This is not just a race, it is the qualifier for the Vendee Globe, and that is Steve's ultimate goal this year!
All was well as Steve and his Open 60 disappeared into the sea haze towards the Eddystone light.
While Steve is away, there is a lot to be done, not only supporting him in this race, but preparing for the Vendee Globe.
The first boats are now past the Lizard. Check out the charts on the following pages for positions.