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**weavis** · 01-02-2017, 09:53

(Extracted from https://svcapri.wordpress.com/2016/1...-the-atlantic/ )

Carstenb and Vinni aboard the Capri.

Mindelo Cape Verde:

That evening there is the prize-giving. When we arrived, the ARC personnel we really impressed that we had not started our engine. Only 5 of the 75 boats had gone the distance without using their engines. So we could figure out that even though we came in about halfway down the pack, we’d still have a good finish. Carsten has worked on it and thinks we have a good shot at 3rd place. So since he’s the skipper, he decides that we’re going dressed in our SV Capri red polo shirts and white pants. All the other crews come in uniforms to these arrangements.

I try to talk Carsten down. I’m afraid he’ll be truly disappointed if we don’t get a medal now that he’s convinced himself we’re going to get 3rd.

It all starts with some drinks and spirits are high everywhere – it is a really good evening. The boats are divided into 4 classes – the Multihulls – they come up first – the other 3 classes are by handicap (a complicated system but size and amount of sail area have a lot to do with it). Class A is first after the multi’s and it is won by a 12.5 meter Pogo which is a true racing boat, more like a big surfboard with a huge amount of sail – this Pogo also has a full racing crew (no watch on watch for them). Class B (bigger than 45 feet) is won by a Performance Hansa (racing boat) also with a full racing crew. Finally they got to Class C (our class). They announce 3 place and unfortunately it didn’t go to us. I look at Carsten to see if he looks disappointed – he not showing anything on his face. Neither did 2nd place. We look at each other and say OK, we didn’t sail to try for a medal, but to get here safely which we did.

Finally we hear – “First place in Class C goes to a boat that beat almost everybody – finishing ahead of 72 other boats and losing out only to the winners of Class B by 16 minutes and Class A by 9 hours – she’s a Danish boat – CAPRI!

Hey! Wait a second – that’s us! Everyone is shouting “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole” and clapping. We run up to the front and when Carsten lifts me up and kisses me, I wrap my legs around him and the crowd goes wild with everyone clapping and shouting even louder. They can easily see how surprised and happy we are. All the others have crews of 5-6 or more and we’re just us two. I fight to keep back the tears. The pictures speak for themselves. We’re proud of the medal and it hangs on our salon wall between our ships clocks. Not bad for a couple of amateurs like us and Thank you Capri for one hell of a run.

**boatman61** · 01-02-2017, 09:59

Good on Ya Carsten and Vinni...

Now enjoy the Caribe and all it has to offer.. SKAL..!!!

Tayana42 · 01-02-2017, 09:59

Big big congratulations![emoji322]

redhead · 01-02-2017, 10:25

Sometimes thing just work out right. Hoorah!

**Pete7** · 01-02-2017, 11:24

After 2600 miles, 9 hours behind the class A winning Pogo 12.5m with a race crew takes some doing, congrats

**Jim Cate** · 01-02-2017, 12:28

Well done... but I thought all monohulls ran their engines all the time, don't they?

Now relax and enjoy cruising.

Jim

**Hud3** · 01-02-2017, 12:38

That's absolutely fantastic! I had the experience of coming in first in class and 7th overall in one of the Caribbean 1500s, so I can relate to the rush they must be feeling.

Sea Dreaming · 01-02-2017, 12:42

Whooop! Congratulations!

Stu Jackson · 01-02-2017, 13:44

Great work, congratulations. Betcha it didn't feel like work, though.

DeepFrz · 01-02-2017, 14:07

Congratulations Carsten and Vinni. What an accomplishment.

**carstenb** · 01-02-2017, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Great work, congratulations. Betcha it didn't feel like work, though.

We clocked 4 days of 160 plus nm and never had more sail than 2 nd reef in the main - ran a full night on only our main set in the 3rd (storm) reef and still made 8+ knots

helluva ride

broke 2 sail battens