After we crossed the finish line, we spent a day motor sailing in a beeline to the marina. It was another race, this time to the dock before 5pm on the 9th so we could be processed by Immigration.
Turned out that they provided evening service, which was a good thing, because we were needed for a photo shoot at 5:45pm as we passed by the Statue of Liberty on our way into port. We kept a reef in the main sail, since the wind was blowing 30+ knots in the harbour!
Once again, we were greeted at the dock by the Clipper Race staff, with a cooler of refreshments and keys to the marina showers and laundry facilities. Not sure which was more appreciated! Oh, and the flag, which they took back. For official prize giving later.
To my delight, my husband was at the dock, too! How lucky that his travel plans dovetailed with our early arrival in NYC and we could spend the weekend being tourists together!
But first, the deep clean...
The deck of the boat, covered in sail bags, lines, etc. With the boat emptied, Neil and I cleaned the bilges, with the much needed help of a power washer.
I had a day to myself today, so I caught the ferry from the marina park to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (she's beautiful!). Very worthwhile. Beyond ironic that at the opening ceremony for this colossal statue of a woman representing Liberty, women were not allowed to attend.