Crew Blog

Durban waves ‘Au Revoir’ to La Rochelle.

25 September 2007

Not one of us was disappointed with the short stop over in La Rochelle, first we were all greeted at the Hotel de Ville by the Mayors representative who deemed it compulsory to indulge in local wines and cognac…… and of course It would have been a crime not to eat at a number of the many old port side restaurants and bars, locally caught seafood being at the top of the menu, mainly because a number of the crew struggled with the French way of cooking their steak “that’s not medium/well – it’s rare” was the cry, an uncultured bunch we are.

We left Sunday afternoon in bright sunlight, first posing for photographs adjacent to the old fortress at the entrance to La Rochelle – stunning. After a little ‘Whizzie’ the race finally started and once again we headed off out into the Bay of Biscay, with the wind on Durban’s nose it meant another night of seasick pill testing and bunk adjustments. Someone asked, how could you prepare for sleeping like this before the race, buy a water bed said one, yes then bunk beds said another – balance the bunk beds on the water bed, get into the top bunk then have someone rock it and bang hard on the side all night……

After some jostling at the beginning and different tactics being employed by the ten skippers, it was Ricky who outwitted them all - Durban was out in front. This was without doubt a memorable night, Atlantic waves rolling and crashing their way to the French coast lit only by the moon and stars. Those on night watch discussed the seabed below and closely monitoring the chart; we were on the edge of Europe as the depth went from 132m to 4727m in a matter of 20 miles, nautical miles of course.

Everyone is in high spirit and focussed on winning the race to Brazil, the blue line on the chart highlights the best route, so called the ‘Rhumb Line’ Joe and Shaz are both convinced it’s the ‘Rum Line’ they also believe there is gold at the end of a rainbow. At this moment in time we are rounding the Cabo of Finisterre off Northern Spain, the sun is shining, the sea rolling and the spinnaker is pulling us along at 10 knots – couldn’t be better, it’s a close race at the front, we have been fighting all night with the “Umpalumpers” on Hull & Humber and the “Bruce’s and Sheila’s” on Western Australia to keep out in front as we all converge to round Finisterre, we are all still well within sight of each other, the Atlantic now beckons – Bring it on.

Neil Withers

1. Tore Taraldsvik, Luxembourg 25 September 2007

Skipper Ricky and Crew at Durban,

Don’t rush for glory
sail for greatness,
and I expect to to see you first in durban as well!

Tore

2. Chippy, Berkshire 25 September 2007

Keep going Durban, its great to have followed your progress so far.Can’t wait to read that those northerners and the those Aussies finished behind you at the finish!! A quick tip - make sure you keep TC on the straight and narrow as he has a tendancy to let off steam every now and again which you have no doubt already witnessed!! cheers Chippy and TC’s godson, Freddie.

3. Carl and Donna, Cornwall 25 September 2007

Umpalumpers..... You must be watching Charlie and the chocolate factory on that 52” plasma you had installed before you left Liverpool!!
Good luck in those Atlantic swells.
Dave J, the boys are keeping an eye on your position. You realise the Durban has to win this one...no pressure. All the best, mind your head on that big stick swinging around!

4. Margaret Ridings, Lancashire 26 September 2007

Hi to all the crew of Durban but especially to big brother Dave C, have been following your progress everyday and thrilled to see you were in the lead. Keep up the good work, may the wind always be in your sails and god speed to you all.

5. Wayne McCorkell, London 26 September 2007

Hi there Durban Crew, and especially my brother in law, Neil Withers! A great write up on the events so far Neil, love the part on how to prepare to sleep before the race, classic. Can just imagine the laughs and good spirits on boad We all tracking your progress 3 times a day and it is really fasinating how the boats are spread on such a vast distance already and their prefered routes. Keep up the fantastic work and keep these updates coming! we all love them. Wayne....... Safe, Fast, Fun

6. Helen BurtenshGaw, Kent 26 September 2007

Go on Durban!!

Special big up for Peter! I’m keeping up with the progress as are everyone at home.

Good luck to you all!

7. charlotte crabtree, 26 September 2007

Hello to Tom and all the crew of Durban, what fun it was meeting so many of you in La Rochelle. Watched the start of the race from the nearest point we could find and saw you disappear over the horizon what a sight. Love Ma

8. Lynn Hardie/Mark Sumner, Manchester UK 26 September 2007

Hi All, especially Dave C. Hope your wind stays favourable. Keeping tabs on your position. Really pleased things going so well. Good to see you state 5. Let us know when you are state 6!!!!!
Good luck Captain Birdseye. Stay safe.

9. Trevor and Celia, paignton, Devon 12 October 2007

Is Mandy Brown still with you???

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