We spent most of the race from Cork, Ireland to Liverpool, England hanging with the two leaders of not only that race, but the race over all: New York and Hull&Humber.
The conditions were beautiful and an absolutely fantastic way to finish this year at sea.
In the final night on the water we managed to pass Hull&Humber but couldn't pull in New York. We finished the final race Saturday morning, July 5th, at 1:38 a.m., crossing the line 2nd, only 300 yards behind New York and only 300 yards ahead of Hull & Humber. I was at the helm, for no other reason that it was my turn in our four hour watch from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
The points we gained from that 2nd place finish moved us up from 8th to 7th overall, which suited us fine. We'd taking to calling ourselves Uniquely Seventh since it seemed to be our finishing position more often than chance (or skill) would dictate.
After milling about all night and the morning at the mouth of the Mersey River, waiting for the rest of the fleet to join up, we sailed as a group up stream, tacking back and forth between each other, giving the crowds lining the shore outside of Albert Dock in Liverpool a bit of a show.
By 2:00 p.m. we'd entered Albert Dock and were moored in the place we'd begun last September 16th.
It is done. I am content and happy. Best yet, I've still got all ten fingers and toes.
In perhaps a week's time I'll write a final entry to be posted here.
