Crew Blog

Final thoughts

28 June 2008

Hull & Humber crew member braves it on the leeward side

We continue to race hard and it has got more difficult as the skill level across the fleet has increased with each race over the past 10 months. We have been in a battle with Qingdao for what seems days now (with the 4 hour watch system you loose sense of what day it is) battling for second place. The weather condition have been challenging with high winds and a difficult sea state requiring the up most concentration from everyone to avoid a torn spinnaker. Earlier we swapped from the heavy weight to the medium weight spinnaker as the wind conditions softened. The change was a joy to watch as we have become a well oiled machine over the past 3 races in this leg. There is still 150 miles to go and from bitter experience I know that things can still change so we have to keep pushing hard until we cross that finish line, hopefully some time on Saturday.

On a personal note I can’t believe that the journey is nearly over with only 4 days left of racing before we finish in Liverpool. I have experienced just about every emotion over the past 10 months; fear, trepidation, exhilaration, joy, comradeship. The learning curve has been enormous but Danny has proved to be a superb teacher. The memories and skills will live with me for ever.

Finally I would like to thank all in the Hull and Humber region, your support for us has been amazing. I will never forget the welcome we received after the Wilberforce race as we sailed down the Humber and look forward to coming back. A small part of my heart will always belong to Hull; Thank you.

Nigel Rose

1. kev smith, kingston upon hull 01 July 2008

well done to all the crew of the hull and humber you have done the city proud, the people of hull are waiting to welcolme you back to port, thank you

2. matty brown, hull 01 July 2008

well done see you all on saturday from matty

3. TS4, Strasbourg 02 July 2008

Welcome back Nige , cant wait to see you in Liverpool (you know how hard that is for a true Manc to write) , what an adventure and what a race , we will be wearing orange on the docks , Orla has been planning her poster campaign for a week now , see you on Saturday.

4. Jonathan, Hull & Humber HQ 02 July 2008

WEAR SOMETHING ORANGE IN LIVERPOOL - Just back from Cork and if you are planning on coming to Liverpool trhe crew would like you to wear and/or wave something orange! See you in Albert Dock on Saturday.

5. cheryl hirst, clayhanger west midlands 02 July 2008

good luck to you all on hull and humber for the final race, remember with lots of effort and determination you can win it and take overall 1st, but if not we are still very proud of everyone for what you have done,cant wait for saturday to welcome you home in liverpool love to all especially natalie,from nats family in the midlands xxxxx

6. Pat Morgan, Bristol 03 July 2008

Well Done all on the H& as your journey comes nears it’s end . It has been great watching your progress over the months… Well Done Fred...Great you have lived your dream! Good luck on this last leg home ..

7. Tims MUM, Tring 03 July 2008

Danny and all on H&H;. Good luck on the final sprint across the Irish Sea to L’pool. An amazing race - well done!!

8. Brian Wilkinson, Boston Lincs. 03 July 2008

Keep up the pressure on the rest of the fleet A win this time with New York trailing in last would be great! Danny, Make for Liverpool and that winners title Watch out for those wind tubines as you enter the Mersey
God Speed And Fair Winds. Might see you in Hull when you return to your.. home port.

Brian

9. Clive & Tricia, London 04 July 2008

Welcome home Nige and H&H;, a truly magnificent performance irrespective of the final positions. An incredible race to witness let alone actually take part in. We’re really proud of you. I’m sure ‘Marsbar’ join us in saying: “You did it mate and nobody can ever take it away from you”. Sorry we can’t be there but looking forward to hearing the stories.

Lots of love, C&Txx;

10. Anne Streatfeild, Carlisle 04 July 2008

Great to see you all in Cork. Go go go Ull n Umber, wer’e waiting for you........!

Anne xxx

11. Helen Harper, Catterick 04 July 2008

You have been brilliant H and H and we have followed you all the way. Jane is gutted not to be there to wave you all in and we are still cheering you on madly. Well done doesn’t really cover it!!
Jane Harper’s mum and dad

12. Alison Carey, Sheffield 04 July 2008

Come on H&H;, one last push for first place! Would love to see you on the winners podium, but whatever your placing tomorrow I think you’ve done fantastically well. I’m coming to Liverpool tomorrow to cheer you in (now desparately looking for something orange to wear!). Hope to see you tomorrow Fiona. Alison x

13. Alan, Johannesburg 04 July 2008

Hi Nigel, It has been a great reading all your blogs over the last ten months. It was also great meeting you in Durban. All our love & good wishes Colleen & Alan - Joburg South Africa.

14. Lauren Godfrey, In Manchester 04 July 2008

hi nigel,
GOOD LUCK with the final bit of the race and i hope that you win!!! We will all be there cheering you on at liverpool tomorrow! Look out for our banner again- we will all be hiding behind it!
See you tommorow,
Lauren Godfrey
xxx
(and the rest of the party!)

P.S I was wonering why the Hull and Humber had to be orange as me and mummy DO NOT own any thing that colour- could you chaange it to pink by tommorrow please???
Huggs and kisses!
xxx

15. Val Marshall, Hedon,East Yorks.England 04 July 2008

As always a brilliant race H & H. You must all be tremendously proud of what you have achieved and you certainly deserve thanks from all in the Hull and Humber area. I know you have given me so much pleasure and excitement - roll on next year! Congratulations on a job well done!

16. Brian Wilkinson, Boston Lincs. 05 July 2008

Congradultions to all the crew members of Hull & Humber On your 2 place overhaul in the race. Unable to come to Liverpool to see the finish but twin sister was there supporting Liverpool 08 she saw some of the past Leggers to talk too at the dock side. Looking forward to next years race have followed you all the way. Be proud of your result has been a very close race all of the way
Bye Brian

17. Val Marshall, Hedon,East Yorks.England 07 July 2008

Congratulations H & H - a fantastic result. Watched you in Liverpool and was so proud! What a fantastic journey you have all had - now enjoy some relaxation! Looking forward already to next year’s race!

18. Karen Jordan, Bristol 07 July 2008

Congratulations Hull and Humber.
Fred- Hope you knee has made a full recovery!!
Karen, JW Clinic, Bristol

Page 1 of 1 pages