Crew Blog

Liverpool Update - Report Nr 1

19 September 2007

18 September 2007

A couple of days at sea and all the hard training over the last eighteen months appears to have paid off – after all, we’re currently in second place behind the unsavory rabble on Hull and Humber.

Trimming is first-class, the sail changes run like clockwork and the helming in such changeable conditions is admirable.

The taste of fresh bread earlier today served with the bowl of delicious splodge-stuff further bonded an already cohesive group of sailors and the prospect of the predictable but ominously sounding fish-pie for dinner (with bananas and custard for pud) raises spirits further.

The send-off from Liverpool meant far more to me than I could ever have wished. Being a Liverpool lad, I knew it was going to be something special but the pride that pumped through my veins as we left the Canning Dock made me feel so elated, yet humble and further forced the lump in my throat. And this, as I found out later, this was a feeling shared by all of the crew on Liverpool 08.

Leaving the Mersey and the crowds behind us, the cheers faded away and the real business of sailing Liverpool 08 in The Round the World Yacht Race was beginning with a vengeance – the roar of the City of Liverpool was replaced by the screaming waters of Liverpool Bay which hit the fleet with violence.

The conditions we had all expected but maybe not so soon.

Rookie sailors became hardened mariners within minutes with winds gusting 40 knots in squally conditions. Tacking for the following three hours tested all the crew to the limit and beyond, and the tearful farewells quickly became a distant but valued memory.

Skipper Ben has been the key to bringing the crew together – his mixture of an inclusive management style and ripping our heads off has been ideally suited to the weather conditions thus far and his knowledge of both the boat and the dark-art of sailing has gained him the full respect of the crew.

The sailing since our first days encounter with the jaws of death has become more and more pleasurable with us poling out the head-sail and even flying the kite as we enter the ominous hell-hole of Bay of Biscay.

With 200 nm to La Rochelle we hope to at least maintain our position and enjoy the run-in to enjoy the hospitality of our French cousins.

And a shower.
Ian Tomo

1. Andy Perry, Liverpool 19 September 2007

Beautifully put Ian and do keep up the news feed. I’m so envious of you all and wish I was onboard bonding in that special way that only those thrown in at the deep end can do. The memories are all flooding back and I hope that your arrival in France bears no resemblence to our arrival on race one of the 05/06 race into Cascais when the spinny was hanging like a curtain and WA were coming over the horizon like an express train. Bank those hard earned points and take care of those spinnys as you will need them all on your way to Salvador.

Keep racing L08 like you stole it!

Andy out.

2. Bridge and Woz, Zea Marina - Athens 19 September 2007

Nice one guys...we expected nothing less!!

Already encountered the jaws of death eh? I am guessing Russ has been on mother duty and you’ve experienced his infamous curry then…

3. Riikka Loukkaanhuhta, Nummi-Pusula, FINLAND 19 September 2007

Hooray, Liverpool ‘08, well done ya all! Skipper-Ben, do take good care of your magnificient crew and keep on “ripping their heads off”, it surely seems to make miracles! And Tiina, dear “brave-hearted finnish gutsbomb” (one of the many names I call you...)), remember to enjoy the best that France has to offer: Champagne…

4. Aime & Mumsie, Seascum!! 19 September 2007

Congrats on keeping your place in the race so far. You lot are a bunch of stars. Enjoy the showers and the rest when you hit land. Here’s hoping you get some better grub than the splodge you’ve had to endure - we hear frogs legs taste like chicken - let us know. Good luck in the next leg and give Humber a run for their money.

To our Little Willi - missin u zillions. Was it you that made the SPLODGE??

Best wishes to everyone onboard L08
Luvs
Aime & Mumsie & Baby A
xxxxxxx

5. Richie Pope, Liverpool 19 September 2007

Well done everyone.
I too had a lump in my throat watching you go out. The food sounds great!
Hope everyone is OK.
Cheers,
Richie

6. jayne, wallasey 20 September 2007

Well done Liverpool 08 on gaining 2nd place .Enjoy a short rest then carry on rocking to Brazil. Good to read the blog and follow your journey on the web Keep up the good work all of you . love Wills family XXX

7. brian Moore, uk 20 September 2007

Great start Liverpool.It was a great send off on Sunday.Can’t wait for the scones!!
Brian

8. Trev the Pom, Norfolk 20 September 2007

I’d fear for anyone that has to suffer Russ on Mother Watch!!
Grinder he may be but Chef he ain’t.
Good to see L08 on the podium after the first hop but I’m sure the Big Legs will enable them to show their true abilities.
Good luck to all onboard.

9. chrisbailey, Liverpool 20 September 2007

Great to see you guys off on what we hope will be ‘the trip of a lifetime’ from our boat ‘Chrissie’, part of the flotilla on Sunday. Tomo, take care and enjoy yourself.
Chris and Chrissie Bailey

10. kevin, 20 September 2007

Well done guys - a great start. In pretty interesting conditions by the sound of it.
Keep it up on the next leg - See you in Brazil.

Kevin

11. Peter Liggett, Liverpool 20 September 2007

First chance to check the website today. Excellent performance maintaining second place into La Rochelle!

I was lucky enough to get out on a boat for the start with Sean. Really enjoyed the spectacle and very proud to be associated with such a fine looking boat and crew.

Cheers to all. Peter x

12. Liz Tomlinson, Braunschweig, Germany 20 September 2007

Nicely put, Dad. Good to hear that you’ve arrived safely. Was great to see you off on Sunday - not because we’re desperate to see the back of you of course - but the atmosphere in the docks was fantastic.
We were quite a rabble waving you off, Dad - weren’t able to elbow our way to the front of the crowd, so I hope you heard our shouts!!

Well done Liverpool 08!! Keep up the good work.

Cake x
PS. Porto 1 Liverpool 1 and Mourinho has left Chelsea

13. Pam Pursley, Taunton, Somerset 20 September 2007

Hi to all the crew on Liverpool 08 and especially Tiina, great job! take carel, enjoy the R&R;, Love Pam, Gordon & Lucy x

14. JoeJoe, Taunton, Somerset 21 September 2007

Fantastic start guys. Very well done! Hope the wind stays in your favour! My class of 7 years olds are enjoying following your progress! Keep it up!!!
Big hugs to Tiina - make sure you leave some champagne for the rest of the crew!!!
Joe xx

15. Nuala, Chiang Mai Thailand 21 September 2007

good on you guys . second place thats pretty impressive. great start for the ‘pool hope the bro is having a great time and enjoying the onshore cuisine . Meanwhile have fun and good luck for the next leg..

nuala
ps Barca 3 Lyon 0 and Henry scored

16. Ethnea, Taunton Somerset 21 September 2007

Great start well done Good luck for the next leg Hi to you Paul

17. Steve Melling, LIVERPOOL 21 September 2007

after watching you all sail out on sunday just thought i would say GOODLUCK LIVERPOOL 08 and best wishes to Akmed from all at MIL Discount, have a safe journey mate.

18. su carson ne;benson, liverpool 21 September 2007

hey lisa pover its been a long while since ive seen you,just wanna wish you the best on the clipper im really proud of you your photos and write ups from the echo are all over my work place, so proud of you enjoy a trip of a life time,love auntie sue xx

19. jezz and sue, cowes 22 September 2007

keep on rockin benny boy!! I’ve heard lads from hull are premature and then run dry so you’ll get em next time!!! Come on the ‘pool!!!

20. James Tomlinson, Lathom Lancs 22 September 2007

Oh,well done Ian !
Nice to hear your getting a shower,things are looking up!
Never made it to the Albert dock but got to Hightown just in time to see
you all turning out of the bay,very impressive in such awful weather.
Keep working hard and enjoying even harder,
Baby Bruv.

21. Ian Tomlinson, Liverpool08 22 September 2007

Suppose there’s nothing against leaving a message on our own website!!!

All the messges we’ve got are very encouraging and the crew are delighted at the level of support we have from home.

We’ve had a restful time here in La Rochelle and have been preparing ourselves and the boat for the next stage.

The next time I have access to the net I’ll be in Brazil - hopefully before the other boats - and look forward to again reading your comments.

Thanks to all for taking time to write.

Thanks to Steph for loading up my iPOD with great tunes - Chronicals of a Bohemian Teenager is BOSS (as we say in the hood).

Thanks to Liz for writing from Germany

And thanks to all of you for the great Liverpool send-off!!!!!!

See you all soon.

Ian Tomlinson

22. mike, Burford Oxon 23 September 2007

Hi Purch, fantastic to see you and all the crew set sail and fulfil all your dreams. had a lump in my throat as you left, will miss you!. Who do I call for advise on electrics now. great first leg, I’m sure you will keep it going.
We will be watching you and keeping in touch.
Be safe

Mike and Max

23. Harold, Dublin, ROI 23 September 2007

Hi Paul. Great to see you are under way and already on Leg 2. I’ll be watching progress daily and will keep Ita updated each Sunday. Nice to see Nuala & Ethnea are in touch also.
Harry

24. Liz, London 24 September 2007

Hi David
Missing you at work. Well done for the 1st leg. Good luck to you all for the next bit.
Liz

25. Laura Davies, Liverpool 24 September 2007

Hello Lisa Pover & all the Team
Well done in getting 2nd place. So sorry i never got to see you properly at the start of the race but i was there with the boys wishing use well and good luck.Hope you are well and enjoying all the hard work ha ha which i know you will be.Any way me the boys and all the family are wishing use well and loads of luck and wind to get use in first place ha ha.

Love you loads
Laura & Family xxx

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