Crew Blog

The Windex

02 December 2007

Perfect conditions for Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper in the Southern Ocean

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, like the rest of the fleet, is equipped with a whole range of technical instruments to indicate a whole array of data to enable ocean yacht racing (GPS, radars, computers and so on).

One instrument is the humble windex, stuck away, high on top of the mast, telling the helm the direction of the wind in relation to travel. However, I have been struck since coming aboard at Durban on its uncanny ability to indicate how the crew are feeling.

At the beginning of this leg, very quickly the ‘windex’ arrow started to creep forward of the beam. As the boat start to heel over, roll and bang over the ocean swell, I noted how crew members started pulling more and more clothing over their faces, until all that was distinguishable for each person was their nose. (This made identifying people challenging, but at least the seasoned RTW crew members gave themselves away by bursting out in laughter when large Southern Ocean waves drenched them with salty, icy water, whereas new recruits like me would go ‘urrrrghhhhh’.)

At its most extreme the windex arrow is as far forward as it can be, and it is here where I note crew-members (me included) beginning to turn pale, and you know that the old sea-sickness is ‘in the air’. Despite regular appearances of a bright smiling skipper asking ‘how are you all feeling?’ with chirpy tone, often the responses are barely believable. ‘Mmmh, oh good thanks, Hannaaaaaaagh…’

Ah but when the windex moves in the other direction, (the wind coming off the nose) crew states change again:

Oily hoods are removed to reveal smiley happy faces. Conversation and laughter break free, and individual tastes and personalities are revealed. (Very quickly for example Edwin’s taste in music wins him an immediate invitation to join the ‘old boys’.)

It becomes clear to us leggers that the boat has an abundance of intellectual capability. For example no time is wasted before ‘games commence’ that truly stretch these limits, such as:
1. The sunset challenge (object is to guess the exact time the sun will disappear below the horizon)
2. The sunrise challenge (object is the same, except you need to guess when the sun will rise)
3. The moonrise challenge (similar again, except the game is played with the moon)

Crew-members are not afraid to debate some profoundly complex and sensitive issues eg What is the point of Christmas? (Dafydd); whether the albatross should be referred to as ‘Albert Ross’ (tatties watch); whether an albatross could make a good Christmas dinner (everyone); that ‘Mick the Moler’ from Humbie could be a cure for cancerous skin moles in Australia (Gavin); and crewmembers are not afraid to show their lively imaginations (e.g. that a two-second meteorite crashing to earth with a white tail could be a distress flare (Neeps watch); and that a moonrise is mistaken for an alien space craft rising from the depths of the ocean (Hannah only seconds from being consulted before error realised).

But the one thing that windex cannot indicate is the amazing camaraderie on board Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, that is so generously shared with all us leggers from the moment we pitch up anxiously at the beginning of our legs. This is a crew that truly looks after each other and cares for each other, where every individual gives their absolute best, works tirelessly for the good of the boat and the good of everyone else. I know I speak for all the leggers and say that it would be impossible to be sailing on a better boat, or with a better group of people.

Ah, well best go, latest weather forecasts suggest the windex arrow will soon be moving forward again…

Malcolm McGregor

1. Brian (Leg 5 NY Clipper, 05-06 RTW Race), Brooklyn, NY 03 December 2007

My parents bought a boat while I was in the middle of the Pacific last year. After watching the albatrosses for several days, I suggested that they name the boat “Albatross.” They did, but now they always call it “Albert Ross.”

Glad to see that you’re sailing it like ya stole it. Looking forward to your arrival in NY.

2. julie, Indonesia 04 December 2007

Good to hear from you,glad everyone is safe and well and enjoying the sailing..happy anniversary Malcolm x

3. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 04 December 2007

Genius. Up to 5th place now ... I don’t what you are eating, but it is doing some good. With a bit less than 2500 miles to go, 5th place is just 77 miles away from the lead boat. That sounds like pretty close racing to me.

Go Glasgow!

4. ian wormald, bonnie scotland 04 December 2007

Coming from Scotland should they not call it Alba T. Ross?
slainte mhath, Ian

5. paul murphy, hoylake 05 December 2007

Great blog Malcolm, I will work on my little hand and big hand before Jamaica - Paul

6. Ros, Euan & Gemma, Edinburgh 05 December 2007

Had a great catch-up with Drew last night so no secrets any more. I hear I can hang up my pinny Gordon!! Marion, Graeme & Finlay all send their best to GSS. Good luck in the next 10 days and remember to come in first (but not before we do). Lol R, E & G xxx

7. Elmo Johnson, A small desk in a big office 05 December 2007

Just a quick message to the Trailer (Edwin): Avidly following your progress and sick with jelousy. Hope you are enjoying every secound. Take care and remember to clip on! Lots of Love. Elmo x.

8. Chris Goodfellow, Burnham 05 December 2007

Well sailed Glasgow, 12 knots and heading 100 this am, good start to the day!
Keep this up and you’ll be picking up four places pretty soon.
Chris Goodfellow

9. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 05 December 2007

What a difference a day makes… 24 hours ago there was just 77 miles covering the first 5 boats - you were 5th. Today 73 miles covers the first 7 boats - you are 7th. It’s getting crowded in there. It’s clear too, that you are very close to Uniquely Singapore and Nova Scotia, so I’ll start making clay models now and start looking for pins.

Go Glasgow!

10. Gemma, London 05 December 2007

Well done everyone… keep it up!! Edwin glad to hear you are exposing all to the sounds of Bar Rumba (haha!) We’re all rooting for you back here!! Keep safe and have fun!

11. Jeanette Forrester, Hereford 06 December 2007

Great blog Malcolm! So glad to hear you’re all in good heart! Superb sailing - keep safe and happy. I’m off to the gym to get ready for Santa Cruz! love Jeanette

12. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 06 December 2007

OK, it’s the half-way stage and there are 52 miles covering the first 6 boats. You are 6th. The good news is that your last 12 hours was excellent and puts you as one of the fastest boats in the fleet, covering more ground than all but 2 of the boats ahead of you. It’s still very close but you seem to have broken away from Uniquely Singapore - I knew those pins would come in useful.

Go Glasgow!

13. Joe McIlwaine (leg 4), At Work!!! 06 December 2007

Only 50 miles behind the leader but 4 other boats between you and them.
Keep plugging away guys, these little 0.5 knots make all the difference in 12 hours.
We at home have everything crossed for just a little more wind very very local to yourselves.
The home crew are having a few beers in Glasgow on Friday (the 7th) and you have given us plenty to discuss over the last few weeks.
Kindly stopping to let David go for a “dook” seems to have boosted team spirit and
moral
That team spirit is not just confined to the Black Pearl, the rest of the leggers (not forgetting family, friends, sponsers, supporters and total strangers captured by your adventures) are all right behind you and champing at the bit.
Keep going guys we know you wont stop trying until your over the line, we all believe you have the skills and dogged determination for another podium finish, all you need is a little luck.
Go Glasgow Go