Crew Blog

Survival and a podium postition

15 February 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond's Jan Nel writes his blog

Wow, calm Yellow Sea ! Moonlight motor sailing in freezing conditions is not all that romantic but a much preferred choice after what could be described as the world’s longest, toughest rollercoaster ride. Sixteen days of hell on earth. Bodies beaten up, boat damaged, lines broken, and we survived. That’s what counts, survival and podium position! With a skipper like Ricky who loves rough seas we made up miles like eating chocolates.

Yes and our famous engine didn’t want to start again, this time looks like electrical problems. What can you expect after so much torture! But with African farm fixing ways we got her going and after 24 hours she is still guzzling fuel.

We hope to reach Qingdao before dark today, just to get to a warm hotel bed that is not moving and not wet off all the precipitation! Hey, cold is one thing but being ice-cold and wet in bed is not so funny.

Everybody is in good spirit and looking forward to some rest.

Just hope these locals have stocks and stocks of sherry and port!

Greetings

Cold Jan

1. Magdalena Nel, LAdismith 15 February 2008

Great race Durban. We hope the Chinese weather will hold for the remaining of your stay their.Have a nice hot bath and lots of hot drinks and lots of sleep. Good luck for the next race.

2. Dave & Caroline Joyce, Nottingham 15 February 2008

Many congratulations on a stunning performance - it’s been gripping watching from a not quite so cold and wet blighty. Enjoy your well earned break - have a drink for us love and best wishes to the Durban Crew from Dave & CarolineXX

3. TOM CLAYTON, Yorkshire 16 February 2008

IT GOT COLDER FOR US ON THE NEXT LEG AND ALTHOUGH YOU’RE NOT GOING THERE ‘ I DOUBT IT WILL BE WARM !!! YOU’RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB . MAYBE YOU’LL DO WHAT WE FAILED TO DO .

4. NORMAN, DURBAN 24 February 2008

Enjoy the leg strong winds to the North holes South but favorable wind conditions for the start. establishing an early lead important as it could be a follow the leader situation. Once again the code word could be a clue ‘direct”

5. johan, stellenbosch 24 February 2008

Hang in there Durban , what a great race and now for the Pacific. Jan vat vas ou maat!!!.
Think of you all!!!!
Feeling (still) Groovy

6. Alida du Preez, Illovo Beach 25 February 2008

You guys and gals did us proud in DBN. There is no luck involved here but skill. Have fun and enjoy the race, will be tracking you again and have a heart attack or two, but in the end you are tops!

7. Ericka, Hereford 25 February 2008

Good Luck to you all! Thinking of you 4 times a day as I move towards the computer, Its automatic now! Safe sailing and I shall be following you closely. Ericka XX

8. NORMAN, DURBAN 25 February 2008

looks like Durban has comunication problems as the have not reported for 12 hrs, Not a problem if you add the ground covered by the rest of the fleet Durban is with the front runnars

FROM THE CLIPPER WEB TEAM: Occasionally, depending on weather and conditions, the automatic polling units on the boats don’t send back a position for the race viewer. This doesn’t mean we aren’t in touch with the yachts - there are a number of communications systems on board and skippers email their positions to the Race Office twice a day as a matter of course.

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