Crew Blog

Mixed emotions

04 January 2008

Jamaica during the training sail in Western Australia

It’s day four of leg 4 of the race, and the skipper and crew of Jamaica are getting used to being back at sea. The Fremantle stopover was a real hit with everyone, but we were spoilt with the hot showers, comfortable beds, restaurants and bars. No sooner had we removed the smell of boat from our clothes, skin and hair then it was back on the water once more. Just as well most of us enjoy being at sea!

This leg sees the biggest crew change for us yet. We lost six people (yes, there were tears involved), and gained six more. We tried to stow Lucy away to bring her with us – she’s only little – but at least she’ll be back for Leg 7. Dinshaw has rejoined us, on top form, after his accident on Leg 1, and was properly initiated once more into the crew by receiving a flying fish in his face whilst helming last night.

In true Jamaica style we had a mini-drama within the first 24 hours. We thought we’d been getting better at avoiding spinnaker wraps. Clearly not. The ‘spinnaker wrap from hell’ took a record 20 hours to sort out, during which time we were sailing with just a mainsail. It took teamwork, ingenuity, multiple trips up the mast and a whole lot of chocolate to get the sail down. At least the new crew members have now experienced the full range of spinnaker sailing…

Consequently, we don’t appear to be leading this race at present. But, as we aren’t as far behind as we were anticipating, we’re quite pleased. Today’s sailing has been fantastic. My favourite conditions: sunny, shorts and t-shirt weather, with rolling surf building steadily behind us. There are blue skies with a bit of cloud and the sea is a beautiful ‘inky-blue’ colour, as Sara described it. We are making good speeds in pretty much the right direction, and it’s nearly supper time. What more could we possibly ask for?

One love,
Claire

1. roy smith, sherington england 05 January 2008

For Dave Williams on board Jamaica.

We have studied the crew profile.....you are on of the oldest aboard.......make sure the young whipper snappers look after you.
no Rich Tea biscuits!!

2. Math n Fam for Dave, Perth W.A 05 January 2008

Wotcha Dad......... Conditions sound great now after your tricky start. We followed you as far as Cottesloe and witnessed the first bout of problems with the spinnaker as you had to take it down and lost several places. We went home quite upset and frustrated! But i’m sure you were mighty releived and satisfied when you eventually sorted it. You seem to be aiming farthest west, in search of catch-up conditions no doubt?! Lets hope you find them and start reeling them all in!
Very exciting from here so must be fantastic for you lot..............

GO GO GO...........

Math n Fam X

3. Norman Brett, Killin. Scotland 05 January 2008

Dave may be the oldest on board, but when it comes to working out how many horse power the boat is generating or the loading involved when it drops off a wave, he is yer man!
All the best to all on board.
Get that boat moving.
Norman Brett

4. Matt, Becky Tom and Sam, Dorset, England 06 January 2008

Thomas now has his chart up on the playroom wall so he can see whereabouts in the world his Aunty Lisa is - goes hand-in-hand with the new family “Clipper” addiction!

5. Phil and Jenny Tissier, South Croydon 06 January 2008

C’mon Jamaica - keep up the great work!

Have a happy and safe New Year

Lots of love to Bernard and the rest of the crew xx

6. Michael-Jay Ruane, Jersey C.I. 08 January 2008

Happy New Year to the Jamaica crew!
tell Tim to keep putting on the sun cream he gets a bit red on the forehead when his out in the sun!!

good luck everyone keep up the good work!

7. Deirdre Moran, Dublin, Ireland 08 January 2008

Hey Mick on board! Hope you doing ok! Ger got knocked out playing rugby, minor concussion and couldn’t remember that you were away sailing! Kept asking where you were! Hilarious! Work harder! Dee x

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