Crew Blog

Still in the lead

05 February 2008

Jamaica's crew work together on a headsail change as they strive to stay ahead

Well, it’s such a novelty that we’ll remind you again: Jamaica is still in the lead. Frankly, we’re going to enjoy this for as long as possible. Our lead is getting shorter, but we still have some miles in the bag, and are doing everything we can to hold onto them.

The crew are taking things seriously, and are supplementing their usual diet with fighting food, very kindly provided by the Jamaican Tourist Board. Daily Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and rounds of Jamaican Rum Cake seem to helping. Unfortunately the rum that they also gave us is taped up in a cardboard box and stowed under the Skipper’s bunk - not to be broken into until we reach dry land. Sir Robin might well be right when he declared this a great incentive for the crew to get a move on to Qingdao. As Lisa said, we’re taking the rhumb line to the rum bar.

It was pointed out to me today that all we’re doing is sailing fast into the cold weather… We had a brief interlude of really beautiful weather today. Having been sweltering in the heat and humidity for weeks, we really enjoyed the cooler breeze and gentle sunshine that we had today. It was described as a perfect English summer’s day on the water. The layers are all coming out of the dry bags for the first time, as long sleeves are needed in the evening, but it’s still not really cold. It is still hard to imagine sailing in the chill of the Chinese winter, but people do like to remind us -f requently - that this is the coldest winter there in quite some time. Great.

Apart from the soon coming cold, it is the fishing boats which make sailing this leg so tricky. Last night we came across two fishing fleets for the first time. All we saw were about 15 white lights dotted off our port side, plus the lights on two large ships. The ships were avoiding the fishing boats, we were avoiding the fishing boats and the fishing nets, and the ships might have been avoiding us but we weren’t taking any chances and decided to avoid the ships as well. It made for a busy night. Funnily enough, we haven’t seen any fishing boats at all in the day time.

The schedule is due in any minute now, and we’ll be checking to see miles lost or gained, and working out where the other boats are. Hopefully all still behind us, for now at least.

One love

Claire

1. Bruce Braithwaite, Stafford 05 February 2008

Great going Jamaica. Congratulations on being in front for a week. Keep raiding the goody box and eating the cake and drinking the coffee - it is obviously helping you see the tankers and fishing boats at night. Hope that the rum warms you up when you reach Quingdao. Good to see Bernard on deck not repairing sails.

Ann & Bruce

2. Becky, Shrewsbury 05 February 2008

Hello Kate/Jim! Come on Jamaica! You can keep that lead up!

3. Ettore Filippini, Italy 06 February 2008

Come on Mick, keep going Jamaica. Perhaps yankees are easier to ride than spinnakers. Now it�s time to change the story.

4. Roy Stevens, Lytham St Annes 06 February 2008

Nice Blog Claire
Well done Jamaica. I’m enjoying seeing you take points off our opposition. It’s good that there is no run away leader , keeps everyone on their toes. I had a great Part A training with Simon and he deserves to do well. .....but not that well that you beat the Liverpool 08 boat. Ben is coming to get you.
Keep enjoying the experience,
Best wishes
Roy

5. john and caroline, Jersey 07 February 2008

go jamaica go jamaica you are doing brilliantly hey tim we have been glued to screen just hang on in there you are all brilliant good luck for rest of leg xxx

6. sian reynolds, at my desk thinking of you! 08 February 2008

Come on Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are doing so well keep up the fab work! Obviously i want Glasgow to be on the podium with you but great work guys so proud! Come on Simon! Love as always, Siany best mate two thermals!!! x x xx

7. Chris & Tash Pilling, Southampton 08 February 2008

Keep it up Jamaica! The coffee and rum seem to be working a treat. Hope you are well Kate and the rest of the crew. Chris & Tash

8. Phil and Jenny Tissier, South Croydon 08 February 2008

Woooo Hooooo - go Jamaica go - keep up the GREAT work.

We check every day and are so happy you are still in the lead.

Keep safe and well, lots of love to Bernard and the rest of the crew.

9. Sarah Chilton, Southampton, UK 09 February 2008

Keep going Jamaica!! It sounds mighty tough out there, but you are doing a great job!
Lisa - keep going girl - we are thinking of you lots - hang in there!

Sarahxx

10. Wendy Mitchell, Midhurst 09 February 2008

Hi Claire! Well done Jamaica - keep up the fab work!! Good to see you up there in front. xx

11. Ben Leyland, Bremen, Germany 09 February 2008

Come on Sarah and all Jamaica crew. Keep up the hard work. Just think the faster you go the sooner you can have beer, bath and bed.
Good luck

Suzy and Ben

12. Pat Daly, Skerries Ireland 09 February 2008

C’mon Mick show them how its done on Moonraker.We’er all rootin for ya.

13. Harry Cooksley, Findhorn 09 February 2008

Keep it going Jamaica! Sounds like hellish conditions. That rum will be very sweet, especially if you can hang on to the lead. Go for it Simon et al. The last shall be first.
Harry the box.

14. Nabila and Nereus Cowasjee, Perth 10 February 2008

Hey Dinshaw and crew- keep up the good work. We have been thinking of you. Three sheets to the wind! Good luck and fair weather.
Nabila and Nereus xx

15. Jonathan Light, New Jersey USA. 11 February 2008

Hi Claire,
So nice to be able to email,
You have a new crew member joining you in Qingdao, Robert Morfee,
Just wanted to wish him and all of the crew aboard Jamaica a speedy
safe passage to Hawaii then to USA port Santa Cruz.
We will be routing from afar, Good luck getting that lead back.
Love,
His American fan club..New Jersey.USA xx.

16. Simon Bradley, China, Jiangsu, Nantong 12 February 2008

Big hello as you pass by..... let the wind blow HARD.

Yes we do share the same name.....

Cheers,

Simon Bradley

17. roy smith, Sherington 13 February 2008

Everyone here is Jamming for Jamaica

We hope you are Jamming It Too!!!!!!!

Lets go Jamaica!!!

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