Today I am informed that we passed the longitude of Salvador, the furthest point west on our outward track, so we have finally completed a full 360 degrees around the world (though the official round the world won’t be completed until we cross our own track, probably somewhere in the Irish Sea). My question was, does that mean I can get off now? As there is no land in sight, nor will be for several days, this is hardly practical. And in any case, now that the wind has dropped and the sea state calmed, life on board Durban 2010 and Beyond has improved greatly. Today it was actually possible to go on deck without foulies and not get wet. And we reached a summery 9 degrees this afternoon! The South Africans on board need some convincing that this is not a normal British summer temperature, hopefully our arrival in Liverpool will involve temperatures in double figures and show them that Britain can be warm.
The improved living conditions, as usual, mean that we are running out of wind, and as the depression is moving east, the boats to the east of us (i.e. those in front) will run out of wind a day or two after us. So they will be able to build on their lead whilst we struggle with dying winds. However, we are becoming experts in bobbing about in light winds, having done several thousands of miles of it since leaving California. Our greatest hope is to reach our destination in one piece, as close to the intended arrival date as possible, and without motoring. We are flying our medium weight spinnaker, which seems to have suffered a moth attack whilst we weren’t looking, as it has developed a number of holes. When it is dropped our enthusiastic leg 7ers will be able to display their spinnaker repair talents and patch them. And as one of the thankfully underemployed sail repair team (when we damage sails we tend to do it in such a big way that there’s no repairing them) I shall supervise… possibly from my bunk!
Claire
To celebrate mid-way across the Atlantic and the round the worlders’ circumnavigation, Lucy opened her beauty salon for business on the foredeck. In the glorious sunshine, six punters (five girlies and James) took the plunge and stuck their head in the bucket, (ably and possibly a little over-enthusiastically) assisted by Steph in order to complete the hair washing process! This was followed by an entertaining round of charades - who can forget Mandy’s re-enactment of Gremlins, John doing the Karma Sutra (alone!) and Steph crawling around the saloon floor pretending to be a lamb in the hope the audience guessed the film Shawshank Redemption (lamb shank, obviously!)?
As we kept ourselves amused the wind died, moved around and then built to allow us to make some good headway on the fleet. Overnight we had several sail changes and successfully patched the four tears on the spinnaker allowing Claire an uninterrupted night’s sleep. Using the spinnaker as a headsail caused considerable chaffing on the starboard halyard; it was rechased by Michelle and Pete on the 3am-6am watch - another first for the leggers.
We are all hoping these speeds will continue with resultant gains on the balance of the fleet with each 6-hour run. We would all love a podium finish. We can certainly get used to travelling at 12knots +!
Enthusiastic leggers, Steph, Lucy & Michelle
Clipper have now added a new area to the Multimedia section that lists the air dates of the Clipper RTW Yacht Race TV Series. In the UK & Ireland it will be shown on Sky Sports & Setanta, in South Africa it can be seen on M-Net Supersports and in Japan it airs on Gaora Sports.
This morning’s plan to take a nice sunrise shot for the Summer Sailstice always had a slim chance of success. After a week of fog during our crossing of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland we now have 8/8 cloud cover and drizzle. It is unlikely that any sunset shots will be possible either. But in true Durban 2010 and Beyond tradition of innovation and fortitude, we have baked a cake which we intend to decorate with a sunny scene and take a photo of that. It also has the added much welcomed benefit of being able to eat it after the photos have been taken.
We are currently well heeled over and making 8 to 9 knots of boat speed in slightly stronger than forecast winds. The latest synoptic chart and GRIB files show that the weather for this race is now going to be dominated by a single low pressure system which is currently tracking below us. It is due to intensify and move quite quickly across the Atlantic, destined to finally batter the North of Scotland with some happy summer weather.
We are going to be hard pressed to keep up with it as it moves North East, but we must try our best to stay near it and make use of its winds, because behind it there will be very little wind until the next low pressure decides to come across, and there is no sign yet of another one leaving the coast of Canada. With 1400 miles to go to the Fastnet Rock, and an ETA to Cork of 29 June, it is still looking promising that we might actually be able to finish this race.
All is good on Durban 2010 and Beyond, the cold and wet conditions are being dealt with remarkably well, and “life at an angle” is becoming the norm. The tricky bit is going to be when we tack onto a port tack later today, and find that all the things currently secured for a starboard tack fly across the boat. Today should also be the day when we sail through the 45 degrees west mark and thus complete seven eighths of our round the world race.
Ricky
After our stopover in Halifax, where we had time to sample the local seafood fare, we set off on a special race to Sydney, Nova Scotia. This did not count as points towards the RTW yacht race, but was to celebrate the 250 years of democracy in Canada. The first day’s sailing was fairly benign with up to Force 4 and we were all relaxed and enjoying the conditions. However, overnight conditions changed to Force 8 on the nose, temperatures dropped rapidly and large volumes of water headed towards us over the decks. Sadly these conditions floored a few of our new leggers who thought they were over the worst of their seasickness, not to mention the various dignitaries and journalists spread throughout the fleet. At least it gave them some of the RTW experience!
The stopover in Sydney was short and the weather fairly cold, so the golf channel covering the US Open had a couple of hundred more viewers. In addition there were a number of local cultural activities, such as aboriginal Canadian blessings for the fleet, and live music to keep us amused. Many people came to see the boats and we were frequently stopped in the street by interested locals. And the start of the race did not disappoint; probably our most exciting yet with the wind on the nose, all 10 boats had to tack in very close quarters for 3-4 miles with numerous near misses and positions constantly changing. We then had a day of enjoyable force 3-4 sailing before the wind died. We are now in force 1-2 force with next to no wind. The wind is constantly changing direction - in the last 4 hours it has been WSW, ESE, SSW, N & E. No sooner have we set the sails than we have to change them again. Added to this, we are also in dense fog and have New York and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper 1-2 miles away, but we cannot see them. We are operating a constant radar watch with someone shouting after each manoeuvre where the nearest boats are. The fog is so eerie we fully expect the famous ghost ship ‘The Flying Dutchman’ to sail across our bow.
We still have not cleared Newfoundland, but once passed this we will be on iceberg watch - which should be interesting. Currently the nearest ‘berg’ logged by satellite is 40 miles away. Iceberg watch will be taken very seriously as many of us visited the Maritime Museum in Halifax from where the rescue and recovery of the Titanic was coordinated and the cemetery where many of the unidentified victims are buried. We are grateful for the satellite information coming in, and the radar on the boat.
We still have a long way until we are clear of land and in the expanse of the Atlantic, but we are all looking forward to the challenges ahead in this race. Although mid summer approaches, it is still far too cold for any mid-summer shenanigans....
Mandy & Steph
As you'll have seen from the race viewer on the Clipper site, the 12 hour runs have not been great as the whole fleet seems have ground to a halt. Steph updates us on conditions onboard:
Hello from almost Grand Banks.V frustrating as between weather systems & stuck in wind hole with fog.W'seeker up then Y1 then w'seeker-trying everything 2 find wind.Had best run in last scheds but still 9th.Even wildlife thinks we're 2 slow 2 bother coming 2 play.All watches working hard but ETA Cork 21 Nov,will try to make it sooner!
Clipper have today announced that the TV series that Sunset + Vine/APP have been making as we have all been racing around the world airs this week.
Sky Sports in the UK will be showing the first programme of the series today (Weds 18 June) and tomorrow (Thursday 19 June) in the following slots:
Wednesday 18 June
Sky Sports Xtra – 1800 / 2300
Thursday 19 June
Sky Sports Xtra – 0200
Sky Sports 3 – 0730 / 1200
Each of the ten programmes will be shown on a weekly basis in these regular slots.
For race followers in South Africa, the series can be seen on M-Net Supersport at the following times:
Episode 1
Wednesday 18 June 2008, 17:30 – 18:00 (Premier)
Thursday 19 June 2008, 13:00 – 13:30
Friday 20 June 2008, 23:30 – 00:00
Saturday 21 June 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 2
Wednesday 25 June 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 26 June 2008, 14:00 – 14:30
Friday 27 June 2008, 22:00 – 22:30
Saturday 28 June 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 3
Wednesday 02 July 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 03 July 2008, 14:00 – 14:30
Friday 04 July 2008, 22:00 – 22:30
Saturday 05 July 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 4
Wednesday 09 July 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 10 July 2008, 14:00 – 14:30
Friday 11 July 2008, 22:00 – 22:30
Saturday 12 July 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 5
Wednesday 16 July 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 17 July 2008, 13:30 – 14:00
Friday 18 July 2008, 23:30 – 00:00
Saturday 19 July 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 6
Wednesday 23 July 2008, 17:30 – 18:00 (Premier)
Thursday 24 July 2008, 14:30 – 15:00
Friday 25 July 2008, 23:00 – 23:30
Saturday 26 July 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 7
Wednesday 30 July 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 31 July 2008, 14:00 – 14:30
Friday 01 August 2008, 22:30 – 23:00
Saturday 02 August 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 8
Wednesday 06 August 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 07 August 2008, 14:00 – 14:30
Friday 08 August 2008, 21:00 – 21:30
Saturday 09 August 2008, 11:00 – 11:30
Episode 9
Wednesday 13 August 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 14 August 2008, 14:30 – 15:00
Friday 15 August 2008, 22:30 – 23:00
Saturday 16 August 2008, 10:00 – 10:30
Episode 10
Wednesday 20 August 2008, 18:00 – 18:30 (Premier)
Thursday 21 August 2008, 14:15 – 14:45
Friday 22 August 2008, 10:30 – 11:00
Saturday 23 August 2008, 23:30 – 00:00
In Japan, viewers can view the series on Gaora Sports in the following slots:
Episode 1
28 June 0900-0930
30 June 1800-1830
02 July 1230-1300
05 June 0430-0500
Episode 2
5 July 0900-0930
06 July 1800-1830
08 July 1330-1400
10 July 1000-1030
As more details of transmission dates for other countries are posted on the Clipper website, we'll update you.
We are off in about 1hr. Firstly we have coffee & donuts at the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club before we parade down to the boats and then race to Cork! Just had a rousing chat from Ricky ready for our win across the Atlantic!!! Fingers Crossed!!
Every-one ready & raring to go for the last big sail of the race & all are keen to get another pennant for race 13.
Looks like it is light winds to start & we may even have to motor sail out to a le Mans start.
We look forward to seeing all the Durban supporters in Cork &/or Liverpool
Durban crew!!
Last night Ricky, along with the other Clipper skippers and the crew of Nova Scotia, was sworn into the Order of Sou'Wester at the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club. This exclusive society includes the captains of the major ocean going liners and tall ships. In the induction ceremony, Ricky was presented with an authentic sou'wester (obviously!) and a tot of rum. He had to solemnly swear to uphold the ideals of the Order and promise to acknowledge the annual Harbour Port day if he can't make it back to Sydney in person. It was rumoured that he would also have to kiss a cod but fortunately he was spared that experience!
The evening rounded off with a superb fireworks display over Sydney harbour.
Clipper activities continue today with the crew briefing at lunchtime and a steak bbq this afternoon.
What a difference a day makes. We left Halifax in bright sunshine at lunchtime on Thursday with an ETA of 7pm at Sydney on Friday - flat seas and enough breeze for some really great sailing. We were having a ball! We made great progress racing in close proximity to the other boats and especially New York.
Our watch did the midnight to 3am stretch and then I was on mother watch until 6am (porridge watch) before heading to my bunk for 4 hours kip. I was very rudely awoken at about 7am when I was nearly thrown out of my bunk - the weather had changed dramatically. The following 12 hours were desperate. 45 knots of wind across the boat, huge seas and water everywhere. At least that's what it was like on deck. Like many of the others, I was confined to my bunk with another bout of seasickness and being thrown around like a rag doll. The guys on deck did a fantastic job, banging in reefs to reduce the area of the mainsail and bringing down the headsail to depower the boat but the boat was still slamming into the troughs between waves for hours. It was like being on an out of control roller coaster.
As you can imagine, we were all extremely relieved to get to Sydney but it was not the usual exuberant arrival as so many of the leg 7 crew (and even some of the round the worlders) were still rather shellshocked. This was our first N Atlantic storm and we were/are wondering if we can cope with the full crossing. We will, of course. The Mighty Durbs will look after us and we'll all look after each other.
I'm making the most of the last couple of nights in the hotel before I start the big challenge. I'm avidly watching the weather forecasts and regretting all those comments from Jamaica to Halifax about the lack of wind....
We had a good downwind start in the D250 race, and kept a good position until the container vessel mixed it up by allowing the tail enders to gybe before the leaders. We felt sorry for Nova Scotia, so far in the lead with their kite up, and being forced to the back of the pack. They came good again though, again by flying their spinnaker.
After some initial great fast reaching, the wind has died off, and we are now bearly making 5 knots over the ground. The forecast shows the wind increasing and moving forward, so hopefully we should get moving again soon. (written an hour earlier - now doing 10 knots again...)
The Halifax stopover was fantastic, with the perfect location right in the middle of the waterfront area, close to all the restaurants and pubs. The parties laid on for the crew were very welcome, although a number of them left with hangovers this morning which affects performance somewhat. The bus tour of the city and entertainment at the citadel was especially well received.
Thanks Halifax - a fantastic stopover.
Ricky
