We are pretty tired, that was one physical race but a good one.  It blew hard, particularly hard during the upwind bit which is never very friendly.  We were ridiculously nervous at the start.  A fleet of 16 boats all jostling for a position on the start is always going to be lively but when there are just 2 of you and its gusty and you not only have sails but ballast to play with you can imagine the relief once the first short triangle of the course was complete.  We began with a beat to the Iles de St Marquis.  Our pace was not too bad although we had a couple of dodgy tacks and took a few hours just to settle in.  This was our first race and apart from the trip across the channel to Caen, the first time we had sailed together since our trans atlantic in March/April.  Reaching across to the Solent was great fun with the gennaker up and boat speeds in double figures.  Great fun until the halyard went ping and the gennaker went under the boat slowing us from 13 knots to 1.  It took all the energy we had to recover it but we did it with just minor damage and ultimately the sail flew again.  

After short tacking out of the Solent in the kind of breeze that would certainly spill a gin and tonic, we caught Josh and Joe who had sneaked past whilst we were trawling for breakfast.  Elated we sailed up and over them somewhere around Dartmouth only to be caught again as they hoisted a nice shiny new reaching sail for the trip up to Tuskar.  We rounded that rock in gale force winds and beat our way back to Lands End.  Anna resorted to prayer and we both were totally fed up with being so cold and wet by the time we rounded the corner back into the channel.  

But now was not a time to rest on our laurels.  The other girls were catching, aided by a wind shift that meant they had reached down the Celtic Sea as opposed to our endless beat.  The Solent which had been receiving some medical attention got hoisted at a cracking pace and we put pedal to the metal and pushed as hard as we could.  Suddenly the boat was alive.  We had finally got her going.  Trying not to chastise ourselves for not having sailed like this the whole race.  The ride that had been wet got even wetter.   We went through the Alderney Race largely underwater which may explain why a ferry very nearly drove straight over the top of us.  We finished having surfed downwind for the final 4 hours under the gennaker we lovingly fished out of the sea just a few days before.  Not the ideal downwind sail but the only option from our limited sail plan that could take the zesty breeze.

So did we romp home with a win?  Of course not but we learned so much, we never gave up when it looked set to get tough and we dealt with all of the problems thrown at us. Have we figured out how to go fast?  Oh yes, of course this will be an ongoing process but the latter part of the race we pushed the boat and ourselves harder then ever before and the speeds we were clocking suggested the boat was happy with what we were doing.  All in all a very successful experience.  Now all we have to do is get the boat refitted and ready to go for the Global Ocean Race.  Just a small task really...

Hannah & Anna x

Just 2 weeks ago we were not sure if we would make the Normandy Channel Race.  There were 2 options.  Play it safe financially and stay in Gosport training by ourselves or find a way to make it happen so that we could get our first real test of racing 40 Degrees.  After a brief moment of contemplation we all agreed that there really was only 1 option and that was to find a way to be here.  So we have.  The show must go on and we must push ourselves and our boat and start to sail against the competition.  

Before I write anymore there are a couple of 'thank you's' that we need to make.  Firstly to Daf without whom none of this would have happened.  Daf you are a brilliant friend and an excellent mentor, its great to have you as a part of the team.  We would also like to thank Henning Riecken, Director of Ad Fontes a brilliant eco energy company, check out www.adfontes.de

40 Degrees has had her bottom washed and a few mini upgrades in preparation for our first race.  Thanks to the guys at Endeavour Quay, Austin at AMB Yacht Services and Ian for your dedicated sticker peeling!  We had a great sail over to Caen alongside Nick and Phillippa on Pheshya Racing and are now moored up completing the final jobs list and enjoying the build up to race start on Sunday 22nd May.  To check out the race positions and route etc take a look at www.normandy-race.com

And finally...We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sports Marketing Agency 'Vitesse Kärcher'  These guys are now looking after the sponsorship hunt for us whilst we get the training program underway.  For all sponsorship enquiries please visit the contacts page for the agency details.

We are so excited and just a little bit nervous about racing for the first time so wish us luck and send us lots of go faster vibes :)

Hannah & Anna   

 We are stoked to announce that legendary brand Von Zipper will be supplying us with some first class eyewear for the Global Ocean Race.  Not usually associated with the sailing world, the VZ brand has its roots in the surf, skate, wake and snowboard scene.  We are on a mission to bring ocean sailing to a fresh new audience and its a sure sign that this race, our team and our amazing boat are all catching the eye of a new kind of people.  Cheers VZ we can't wait to wear our new shades!  Check out www.vonzipper.com 

So we have been a bit quiet since we got back.  No excuses really except for the immense amount of hard slog to hunt down that title sponsor - ongoing - adventurous, visionary and wealthy folk I draw your attention to the contacts page.  Still the show goes on.  Anna is wrapping up life in the office, 4 days to go and I am getting the good ship 40 Degrees ready for her first outing on the race course.  The Normandy Channel Race.  We debated long and hard over this race due to many factors from finances to sail plans but this is the first real opportunity to test ourselves in race conditions so regardless of the elements that could hold us back this will be a top experience and one we will benefit from whatever the result.  Take a look at www.normandy-channel.com 

40 Degrees will be lifted out of the water for the first time since we took charge of her on Wednesday. She is having a bath in preparation for the Normandy Channel Race and we get a chance to check that everything is still attached where it is meant to be.  Fingers crossed as we don't really have a plan prepared if anything important is missing down there! 

All is good - stressful, intense, exciting but generally good.  As of Friday 13th (lucky for some), we will be a full time team, training, preparing and focusing on the big event.  Not long now!  But seriously we do need that title sponsor ASAP so if you can help us do get in touch, we would love to talk to you!

Hannah & Anna