Crew Blog

The highs and lows of ocean racing

04 October 2007

The Doldrums came early for Liverpool 08 as we sat off the Canaries for 36 hours with zero wind. So frustrating for all the crew. It saw us slip from forth to ninth and our hearts sank as well.

We spent many an hour on deck determining methods to move us out of our quandary. These ranged from inflating the body bag (yes, we do have one) securing it to the rear of the boat and taking turns to jump on it. Lassoing eels on their way to the Sargasso Sea was another option as well as using cheese in a variety of ways but unfortunately these all contravened race rules.

The forced free-time did give us the opportunity to spend a couple of hours diving and swimming in the cobalt waters off Lanzarote – well earned morale booster for all on board.

The wonders of Mother Nature and the vastness of the Atlantic continue to throw surprises at us. Literally. Flying fish scoot by (and onto the boat) and dolphins continue to brighten our journey. The sun bakes down on us during the day and the warm breezes make the night-time watches more bearable. Chris Pearce, our resident bird watcher, has been ticking off his sightings with a flurry and fascinated us with his ornithological knowledge. Oh, and Mike Thomas spotted a cloud that looked like the wart-hog from Lion King.

David Purchase is magical with his ability to repair the un-repairable and Neil Francis on the helm has improved from C+ to A-, but could-do-better. Peter Nuttall did want mentioning that he hurt his foot on deck but I should add that it was when he trod on a Ginger Snap biscuit and not in battle as he might later claim during Yacht club banter. No sea-monster was involved.

We have had quite a few hiccups. Apart from losing the spinnaker and de-netting the rudder, we have had guys breaking, strops snapping and the water maker playing-up. The head (toilet) also packed in for a short period but thanks to Peter and his vast knowledge of working with such things, smiles were soon back on our faces.

Both Lisa Pover and Will Little have carried out sterling repair work up the mast and keep the rigging tip-top in our race to Brazil.

Thankfully we are now at full speed heading for Cape Verde, a beautiful group of islands off the coast of Africa, before we head for the real Doldrums where we hope to have more luck than we have to date.

We are now looking forward to meeting up with the new crew members in Salvador to share our tales and exploits.

Ian Tomo

1. Paul Graham, Cleator Moor, Cumbria 04 October 2007

Keep pushing, youve all had your rest and little swim. now dig in.
suggestion. give ian tomlinson a phone. youll have no end of wind then. ha ha ha
the places can be made back just as quick as they were lost.

2. Rebecca Cole, Worcester 04 October 2007

Excellent blog! Keep up the good spirits - I love the scene you paint with flying fish and the dolphins. My husband is on Glasgow:Scotland with Style, so strictly speaking, I want them to win - but I did enjoy your blog! x

3. jayne, wallasey 04 October 2007

Hi Liverpool 08 as mum and dad of a crew member its good to read the update and monitor progress. Keep up the good work and aim for Brazil but dont spend too much time swimming as points mean prizes .let the winds be with you and help you on youre way atill 2000nmls to go love williams family and ted

4. Shaun,Margaret & Helen, Lytham St.Annes 04 October 2007

Looks like you’ve been havinga bit of fun, now for the real racing with the good winds and currents you have earned. Hope you keep the wind now right through to Salvador. Fingers crossed for you all. Looking forward to seeing you all in Durban and I am keeping a good eye on the daily positions.Keep up the good work.
Best wishes from Margaret and Helen, “ The Liverpool Groupies” and Shaun.

5. Helen Pearce, cheshire 04 October 2007

Don’t stop sending the blogs Ian - they really brighten the day for we sailing widows at home. You make it so real for us. Didn’t think it would take Chris long to get you all birding. Cheers Helen (P)

6. Roy Stevens, Lytham St Annes 04 October 2007

Hang on in there chaps, all character building stuff. I’m sure you’ll win through in the end.
Best wishes
Roy

7. Tony and Sharon Loftus, Liverpool 04 October 2007

Keep your spirits up team, you’re doing great considering you’ve been without minor convienences - like a rudder and fresh water maker! Focus on the job and it will come good.
Top tip - when you arrive you’ll deserve a blow out; the rum and lime punches are fab, but the hangovers with too many are unbelievable!
Tony and Sharon Loftus and family, Liverpool

8. Neil Stubbs, Manchester 05 October 2007

Come on Liverpool, now time for a second half fight back. Just don’t get Ian Tomo on the subject for too long or you will begin to think that your destination is Istanbul!

9. Sue Haslam, Chester 05 October 2007

Hey Guys, anyone would think you were on holiday! You are looking good today and gaining ground, keep up the good work. Paul, you should have bought bigger fans and put them on deck! We are all routing for you and following your every move. Keep safe and have fun. Love Sue x

10. pam moore, Liverpool 05 October 2007

hello Liverpool 08
glad to hear every thing is sorted out,did i read lisa has been sewing, mmm must remember that when she asks me to alter some thing for her ha ha every one asks every day how you’s are doing,so come on Liverpool 08 get in there
love mum wully william xxx

11. Peter Liggett, Liverpool 05 October 2007

Have to agree with Paul. Your only a nadgers off 5th and 2 days ago you were showing last place.

Glad to see your all still quite pale (even Akmed) - not to many opportunities to sun yourselves and lets be honest, (big) Peter was actually practicing his samba moves in preparation for Brazil.

Keep your heads up (all conotations) - cheers, Peter Liggett

12. Chris Nuttall, Leeds West Yorkshire 05 October 2007

Keep going guys and girls on liverpool. Now is the time push it’s a marathon not a sprint and luck evens it’s self out. Oh and I hope it’s a fair wind that blows your way. Keep the faith and believe

13. Julse Essex, Plama. 05 October 2007

Swimming ... nice touch Ben! Shame about the wind and the head! Hope it all stays working from now on. Best of luck. Hope the weather gets good for you and you get going again. Julse x

14. Peter Day, Liverpool 05 October 2007

FOR LIVERPOOL 08 CREW

Hi guys,

Sterling efforts all round by the sounds of it. Really bad luck re the winds, (have you tried baked beans!) Seriously I like all of you hope the winds pick up and you’ll all soon be heading towards the font of the pack. Keep going and I know that you will all have a rewarding result you’ll be proud of. Of course I’m not there and don’t know what the conditions are like but I know that you will all do whatever you can to make haste! I wish you all every success and I think about you all almost every day. PJ said to say hi, I saw him on Monday. I sadly won’t be in New York to meet you all as I was hoping, but am hoping like mad to be in Cork for you all next year. That’s ages away I know but Tempest Fugit and before you know you’ll be back. The photos I have taken are slowly being processed for a disc and I hope you all like them when you get them. Hopefully some shall be on your website when it’s up and running. Good luck to you all and take care. Until my next posting best of luck and keep smiling.

15. Dean Barlow, Liverpool 05 October 2007

Hi Benno (Lisa Pover) & Liverpool 08 crew,
After 3 all blow into the sail......good.....and again, and again (you get the idea !!!). Keep up the hard graft and determination, dont just think that because you are behind you cant catch the lead pack - remember every placing counts throughout. Sounds like your a good team working well together - keep it up. Hey Lisa - count wait to try the scones that Chris gave you recipe for.
All the best & fair winds.
From Dean Barlow.

16. cal little, Merseyside 05 October 2007

Keep pushing forward liverpool, wishing you speed and luck all the way, keep safe everyone. Will keep up the good work take care of yourself, full speed, fun and happiness to you all xxx

17. Jan Tomo, Mere Brow 06 October 2007

Hopefully all the bad luck is over now! (nearly as many things seem to have broken as here at home - list o’ jobs is getting longer!!!)
Great to see Liverpool 08 climbing up the leader board - keep the Tomlinson competitive spirits up Ian!
Good luck and take care, lots of love Jan, Kids, Dogs, Mum and Dad R

18. Sharon and Tony Loftus, Liverpool 07 October 2007

Come on Liverpool, we are all behind you- chin up! Watch out for Qingdao and westernaustralia2011.com, they are breathing down your neck! Can’t wait for the next posting.

The Loftus Crew- Tony can’t wait to join you in Jamaica.

19. Peter Day, Liverpool 08 October 2007

FOR LIVERPOOL 08 - OCT 8th 2007

Hi guys, keep going, you’re all doing brilliantly. You are just a few miles behind 4th place and I’m sure you will end up in front of them soon. I hope you’re all well and am keeping my fingers crossed for you all. Safe sailing and best of luck.

Until my next posting, take care.

Peter Day. - Liverpool

20. Katia and Bernie, La Rochelle 08 October 2007

Apologies for our naive comments about being `parked` in The Canaries for a few days, the reasons for the delay are all too apparent now !! How frustrating and what terrible bad on you all. Still, you certainly have H some A !!, up to 5th, as we read today. We wish you continued good progess and lets hope that `The Well of Bad Luck` has run well and truly dry.
Our very best wishes to you all
Katia and Bernie
PS On the home front, both the Auzzies and the Kiwis dumped out of the RWC and Hamilton will have to wait until the next GP to clinch the Drivers World Championship.
God Speed L08.

21. Wend Downing, Wirral 08 October 2007

You are doing so well. Keep up the good work!
We ‘counted you all out and we hope to be there to count you all back’

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