On Wednesday 16 January, at 11:29.11 (UT), Gitana 13 crossed the line at the foot of Ambrose Lighthouse, the starting point for some of the most legendary record attempts, including the one begun today called the Route de l'Or. The last 24 hours have been more than intense. Departure mid-afternoon Tuesday from Newport, a windy night below Long Island with gusts of up to 30 knots in a glacial cold, dawn spent tacking into a stiff wind to reach Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, a quick photo in this marvelous setting with all the right ingredients—blue sky and sun—then jibing out of New York harbor, all this capped off with the inevitable sail changes: our crew of ten sure had its hands full. With our muscles kept warm by three layers of fleece, broad smiles broke across our faces as we embarked on our own “long way” at an average of more than 25 knots, flying the small gennaker with a reef in the main sail. The promised wind, 25-30 knots, did not disappoint. We too are in top form. Life is beautiful, our sights are set on the equator. With Lionel Lemonchois at the helm, the adventure has begun for Gitana 13. There's nowhere we'd rather be.
Good night
Nicolas Raynaud