Dandelion 51

 

Stargazer, and her skipper (who has suddenly turned child once more), are admitted to the sweet shop. Which is Les Sables d'Olonne at the finish of the New York - Vendee race. With Charlie Dalin's victorious IMOCA moored, in pride of place, on the events pontoon.

We cleared the wooded tip, of Ile d'Yeu, shortly after sun rise. The tide just turned south going. Sixteen knots of breeze on the quarter.

Stargazer inexorably reels in, the forty one foot, Sayonara. Sailing on the same heading. 

Overtaking her around fifteen miles out. Broad reaching under full main and genoa. Across a long swell. Loping along, with an easy gait.

Stargazer skirts the Les Barges reefs. Discovering a short cut, between the Grande Barge and the Petite Barge.

Which carries us past the pantiled suburbs of Les Sables d'Olonne. . . . .

. . . . .and the La Chaume downtown waterfront, into the confectionery department.