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Spirit of Cardiff has completed the first leg of the voyage from New York to Cardiff, arriving in Newfoundland after a tough 66 hours at sea.
The first night was particularly difficult, with the boat making just five knots at times. However, the weather gradually improved over the next 24 hours, and Spirit of Cardiff gradually picked up speed, partially through improved sea conditions, and partially as a consequence of the boat's decreasing weight as fuel burned off.
The harbour at St John's, Newfoundland
Spirit of Cardiff arrived at the refuelling stop in St John's, Newfoundland, to be met by ground crew chief Keith Walker. He has been waiting there for the last three days, ready to provide the fastest possible turn-round in refuelling and re-provisioning the boat.
The arrival into St John's itself was not without drama. After an uneventful run in calm seas along the south coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Spirit ran into heavy head seas and drifting ice on the run up the east coast to St John's.
Crewmember Steve Lloyd in St Johns, being interviewed by CBC
Alan Priddy summed it up: "There were some big icebergs out there, and negotiating them in the dark with 25 knot winds coming at you is no joke. St John's is a great place, but we're going to be glad to get on our way to the Azores."
The crew are nearly ready to set off for the Azores, but have found just enough time in between radio and TV interviews to get some hot food and a shower courtesy of the Quality Hotel!
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