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Mariquita Book - mk2.5

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XII<br />

XII<br />

23<br />

22<br />

XII<br />

OO<br />

I<br />

13<br />

14<br />

II<br />

IX<br />

21<br />

15<br />

III<br />

VIII<br />

20<br />

VII<br />

19<br />

18<br />

VI<br />

17<br />

V<br />

16<br />

IIII<br />

DIARY ENTRY<br />

Final beat. Once Portsmouth hauled into sight we knew we were nearly home. We began the final beat up the eastern Solent and through the forts, with nary a vessel in competition around us.<br />

The wind had lessened and we tried to eke out every last knot we could from the Old Girl. The cloud had bubbled up but it didn’t dampen our spirits as we finally reached the finish line as the 43rd boat to<br />

cross the line – a remarkable showing for a classic of <strong>Mariquita</strong>’s age and pedigree. But there was no time to celebrate, there were almost 1,600 other boats behind us and the finish line is no place to linger.<br />

It was time to head back to Lymington and away from the crowds. M.O.<br />

296

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