Crew Blog

Gybing under spinnaker

08 November 2007

Liverpool 08's Will Little at the end of the spinnaker pole

With the new pole rigged and hoisted, the call of ´Gybe Ho´ comes from the now competent helming hands of Paul Scannell. As he turns the boat slowly to port the Yankee 2 is skilfully backed and ground into the new pole’s jaw.

With the sail trimmed and all the lines tidied away I was called upon to go to the end of the pole and attach the new sheet to the end of the Yankee.

As I climbed to the end of the pole I was thinking where would I rather be, tucked up in bed at 04.30 UK time, or standing ten metres above sea level and ten metres out from the mast looking down upon the efficient deckhands of Baywatch.

With our Watch Leader on mother the deck had been handed over to our assistant watch leader Helen Richmond who was pulling the team together and making sure that all of the necessary jobs where completed both safely and correctly.

Watching how people are working from the end of the pole is amazing compared to when we first left the port of Salvador 14 days ago, the relationships between people that have been formed and the friendships that will last forever. People’s skill levels have drastically improved and all jobs ranging from the mainsheet to hoisting a person up the pole are now completed with confidence.

We are now reaching average speed of around 10kts and the sun is shining down on the deck which is giving the entire crew a very enjoyable morning sail.

Amidst the girly chats of Eleni and Mill’s and Queen being played through the deck speakers its time to go to my bunk for my much needed 1hour 30 sleep! So I am ready to be back on deck at 5 pm

William Little

1. Andy Perry, Liverpool 08 November 2007

Great to hear your experiences first hand Will and even better to hear about the competency of the crew which is confirmed in the rate of progress your making towards what looks like a firm podium position. Keep doing those sweet smoth gybes and its all yours. Enjoy the ride!
Andy

2. Aime, Mumsie & Splodgey, Sunny Seacombe 08 November 2007

Hi Willi & Everyone on L08,
Nice to read your blog and also to see you doing what you do best! Hanging, dangling or standing precariously on things that you really shouldn’t! Nothing changes does it Will? lol Good to hear that you are all working hard too, it will be well worth it in the end. As usual its the first thing we do in the morning, afternoon and evening, check the race viewer to see just where you are, totally addicted, even Andrew (Snr) is having a look too. Keep blasting Queen through the deck speakers because as they sang ‘We are the Champions’ and keep that in mind.
Lots of Luck
Aime, Mumsie & Splodgey
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

3. Will's Grand dad, Wallasey 08 November 2007

Nice blog Will,didn’t know William Shakespeare was a pole dancer,nice to see everyone is getting on well in both work and play a credit to yourselves ,shows what a good skipper you have .proud of you all.COME ON YOU REDS !!!!!!! P.S. and BLUES.LIV##ER##POOL GO GO GO!!!

4. cal little, Merseyside 10 November 2007

Hello Liverpool 08, good blog Will keep it up - sounds like all the crew have mastered the art of safe sailing well and truly, what a brilliant team - keep up the good work everyone, love, speed and safety to all - keep rocking all over world xxx

5. kirsten, leeds!! 10 November 2007

hey will, is time going as fast for you as it is for me?! already looking at houses for next year with friends, hardly slept in leeds but then thats probably an understatement compared to the hours you sleep! hope all is well and speak to you soon, made everyone aware of how brave my cousin is here in leeds! xxx

6. Akmed, Brazil (not to sure where tho) 10 November 2007

Hi Guy�s

nice to be reading the blogs and seeing all is going well (extremely well by the looks of our position in relation to the others). Makes me wish I was still on board taking part in all the highs and lows of ocean racing, 3 on 3 off, food 5 mins before bed and 5 mins after waking up, crashes which rock you in your bunk 30 mins into a 2 hour kip...sorry got to go now some brazilian girl is insistant I get up and dance (my hips are swinging in and out of different time zones), they aren�t half friendly out here, steak is great, beds are comfy (still only getting 3 hours sleep tho), sun is bright and hot, tan is great (looking ike a local now)...why was I missing the boat again??? Oh yeah that was it...you guy�s are great and doing us all proud, keep it up and hope to be back on board with my bongo in Jamaica

Akmed
x
p.s. Mills keep calling the wind god in my absence, he�s always there to answer your calls...tchau amigos and amigas...x

7. John, Eleni Isaias' brother, Sydney, Australia 10 November 2007

Hi again everyone on Liverpool 08!

Eleni, it’s good to know that you’re keeping everyone entertained with your chat, lol.

Not long till you reach Durban now. Wishing you all the best from down under.

Cheers,
John Isaias

8. jayne, wallasey 10 November 2007

Hi William and Crew, good blog William who helped you? thought you only knew how to write in text form too many letters in some of those words… well done. Great sailing everyone some good speeds and distances over 12hrs being reported on main web. Its good to hear you are all getting on and that all crew are gaining confidence in their sailing abilities and working as a team as you head for Durban only 1000mls to go now and currently at fourth position keep up the good work everyone. May the winds stay in your favour as you continue to Rock All Over the World love Williams Mum Dad and Ted the dog xxxxxx

9. brian, wallasey 10 November 2007

Hello Son, nice to see you are not scared of heights, job on windows when you return home (youre on tops Bill) Great to see everyone on board is as enthusiastic as you and are working as a team pushing for podium position. Continue to keep up the good work all of you God Bless Brian (williams dad)xxx

10. brian Moore, uk 10 November 2007

GREAT POSITION lIVERPOOL.wE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU HERE.KEEP IT UP.
bRIAN

11. Keith & Thelma, hereford 11 November 2007

Watching your progress with great excitement, you are making good progress on Hull and Humber Keep up the team spirit and Camilla keep calling on the wind gods as requested by Akmed. Must be wonderful seeing the whales alongside the boat and that must lift your spirits. Only 700 miles to go and you are assured a place on the podium.

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