Crew Blog

My voyage of a life time…the start

03 June 2008

I can’t believe it has actually started; only two and a half years of planning, cajoling and pleading with different parties has now come to fruition.

The first thing to do was get to Jamaica, a ridiculously early start in Manchester Airport (seen off by Fran – on her own, the kids had sensibly elected to stay in bed at 4am), a brief stop in Paris to change plane so that the Air France ground staff could strike and cause the obligatory delay. Luckily their impact was minimal and I was soon Miami bound. My flight to Kingston was also delayed – due to the AA air crew getting lost, was I ever going to Port Antonio? I need not have worried; I arrived 60 minutes late in my 24th hour of travel.  I had taken Clipper advice and booked a collection with Phillip Houdhan, taxi service to the rich and famous in Port Antonio, a good decision. The next 3½ hours passed quickly with Phillip informing me of the latest Clipper updates, encounters with my buddies in his home town and Caribbean life.  Avoidance of potholes is key to the Jamaican driving experience, avoidance of pedestrians or other vehicles seemed of less concern to the untrained eye but we made it in one piece to my hotel.

I have to say I felt very guilty waiting for the boats to arrive, my meticulous planning had me arriving the night before crew handover but leg 5 mast repairs meant I had some free time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. The new leggers for Liverpool 08 were all assembled raring to go but without a boat and crew to focus on.  The time was passed with our itineraries including; scuba, rafting, drinking beer, chilling and watching Man U (boo) beat Chelsea (hurray/boo) in the Cup. Jamaica was looking after us and our time there was “Irie!”

When the boats came in was a night to celebrate, some longer than others. Galloway’s last stand was at about 8am the next morning with a small hardcore posse – respect!

Boat prep, prize giving and briefings covered the next few days.  All too quickly the boat was ship shape Caribbean fashion ready for the big off.  Due to forecast light winds, the race was to start close to Port Antonio harbour entrance; a quick ‘race round the can’ to determine later starting orders. We crossed the start line at full chat only a few seconds behind the lead boat, we maintained our advantage with slick tacks and sail trimming our final position being third – the benefit - a more windward start position during the later proper start for leg 7.

We motor sailed to a position north of the straight between Cuba and Haiti passing the Ile de La Tortue (or Tortuga of Pirates of the Caribbean fame) to starboard – we would keep a vigilant watch for ‘The Black Pearl or Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper/Hull & Humber/New York – well actually any of the other boats that could steal our thunder or is that plunder?

Our start was not the best and we lost any advantage earlier gained.  The initial schedules (race positions) showed us in ninth place.  The leggers were depressed but the RTW crew new the score – ¨Sheds don’t mean a thing if you ain’t … quite close to the finish line¨.

The 1400 mile race contained all points of sail and even sailing without wind. The conditions stretched our skill levels (us leggers trying to get up to speed without dropping too many clangers). Our chosen course was good taking into account wind and currents and slowly but surely we dragged Liverpool 08 through to second place – amazing!  With full corporate agenda waiting in New York, Clipper race team had to make a tough decision, light winds meant potential delays.  The race would be curtailed at 7pm local time on the 30th.

The stage was then set for a close and exciting finish.  We had a podium to keep and a chance of the coveted yellow winner’s pennant. We raced our socks off, changing from wind seeker yankee to #1, then light weight spinny to medium and a peel back to LW (I have only just learnt these terms too!).  The final hour approached; Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper to starboard, westernaustralia2011.com to port only a few degrees in it. The LW flying, trimmed by the amazing Doris (our resident native New Yorker). To eek out the last drop of speed - all hands on deck on the low side.  We had second in the bag but it wasn’t to be, WA snuck passed us taking our red pennant from under our noses.  We will be on the podium though, it’s been a while since Singapore!

To say we were gutted is perhaps an understatement. We will learn from this and come out of NY racing to Nova Scotia with renewed vigour.  But now we motor to the Big Apple planning shopping trips, deli raids and a level of cleanliness (so far) beyond reach.  Where’s the soap …

Peter Liggett, Liverpool 08, Leg 7