Crew Blog

A time for reflection

27 June 2008

New York's Tony Peters winching in the fog

Starting out on race 12 and hitting a wind hole for 3 days undoubtedly gives you time to think and reflect on the Clipper journey of a lifetime, and the last 10 months. And what a rollercoaster of a ride we have had with plenty of ups and downs, highs and lows, starting on day 1 with all the celebrations leaving Albert Dock in glorious weather. Once across the start line this soon turned to gale force winds as we entered the Irish Sea and I asked myself what on earth have I let myself in for! Baptism by fire by all accounts. Taking 3 people to change the Yankee 1 to a Yankee 2 at night, completely soaked to the skin (lifejacket automatically inflating and still finding a sense of humour) has to be my most exhausting experience. Relieved that I could finally go below decks, but unable to even gain the strength to take my foul weather gear off.

If it’s not gale force winds it’s no wind at all, and this hit us as we crossed the English Channel and the race to La Rochelle was called early. Still we had made it safely to the 1st stop over. Race 2 probably was the most frightening when we broached for the 1st time 1 mile off Cape Verde. Heading towards land and not really knowing what to do other than to hold on for dear life as my feet left the deck. Not a good time to ask the Skipper what to do but with experience comes wisdom (and more training so no more rabbits in headlights!)

Arriving in Salvador in 9th place was one of our lows but the reception from the other boats was overwhelming and what we needed to lift our spirits again. Changing Skippers and once again crossing the Atlantic for the 2nd time towards Durban SA. This time clearly in racing mode as we were neck and neck for 1st place with Hull & Humber for the last few days of the race. Awarded 1st place and you are walking on air – and lots more time in port to undertake essential maintenance which includes showers and bed!

Setting off from Durban and I can still remember the yellow sunflowers as they were thrown into the water behind the boats. Again no sooner had we crossed the start line than we were heading into stormy weather. Soon to come and bite us on the tail! In 1st place and I was on the upper deck and hit by a ton of water sending me crashing head first into the traveller sustaining a nasty head injury that required immediate medi-vac. Probably the worst moment of the entire race for me but reassured as all of the crew pulled together to get me back to Durban and medical assistance. I will be forever grateful to all of the leg 3 crew for their assistance and good humour at a very low point for all of us.

Typical New York style straight back out into the eye of the storm and racing across the Southern Ocean. There was never any question that I would not rejoin New York in WA. A warm welcome was received as I clambered down the cuddy at 0730 to crew getting out of bed, breakfast and then more maintenance and taking the boat out of the water.

New Years Day and the start of Leg 4. Racing into and out of Freo Harbour and heading up the west coast of Australia towards Singapore and Qingdao. I think the most enjoyable leg for me with every kind of sailing possible, winning both races and great stopovers in both ports was a major bonus. The memory of arriving in Batam Island and looking back towards the marina and seeing New York moored up all on her own will stay with me forever. What an incredible welcome and presentation party provided in Qingdao. Once ashore alcohol would appear to be a very important part of the Clipper experience – suffice to say I did take advantage and my thanks have to go to Mike, Sarah and Oscar (off Qingdao) for getting me back safely! The most moving experience will have to be walking along The Great Wall of China. There was just something about walking on a man made structure that is thousands of years old, never to be forgotten.

Crossing the vast Pacific Ocean and thankfully everybody arriving safely in Hawaii. I cannot believe we were actually complaining because we were going to get an extended stop over in Hawaii – how can that be? Obviously too long at sea! The riddle of the Easter bunny that hopefully will return from his stowaway on board to a more sedate lifestyle! The racing continued to Santa Cruz and meeting up with friends to give me the final boost to get me home to Liverpool – fantastic. How can we ever forget Onions request to the very nice Police Officer to point him in the right direction to get him back to the boat!

A very quick refuel at Banana Bay in Costa Rica, the coffee, ice cream and fresh pineapple was gratefully received by all, and onto Panama. Very poignant as we watched the canal lock doors close to the Pacific and eventually opening to the Atlantic. The race across the finish line in Jamaica with Hull & Humber (again!) Nail biting and hearing them cheering just seconds before we too crossed the line and reluctantly taking second place. The surprise of my life as my family on holiday in Cornwall appears smiling in Jamaica, never before have I been speechless.

Breaking the home city curse and arriving in New York in 1st position very late at night was very special. Passing the Statue of Liberty in all her splendor and approaching Manhattan it finally hits home that this whole experience is not just a sailing race but the enormity of sailing round the world and facing nature at its best and very worst. Leaving New York too soon but the racing has to keep on track and heading up to Nova Scotia for yet another memorable welcome. The D250 race and yet again having to raise the storm jib in stormy weather.

Memories that will stay with me for a lifetime – boat food, WCV, SOG, anticipation of scheds, living life at 45 degrees, alcohol, whales, dolphins racing the boat at the bow, flying fish and squid (yuk), racing sail changes, standing by to stand by, the sun, the cold, the heat, the snow, the fog, wind holes, cleaning the heads, lack of sleep, lack of showers, using wet wipes, winning and losing, red cards, yellow cards, frustrations and jubilations the list will go on......... I have had a fantastic time during the last 10 months, both the highs and lows and people have seen me at my best and worst for which I thank them and also offer my apologies! But I look forward to Cork and the final race to Liverpool where we will all be saying our fond farewells and exchanging e-mail addresses.

Would I do it all again? A well known phrase comes to mind from Sir Steven Redgrave when he won his 4th Olympic gold medal........ but ask me again in 6 months!

Best wishes to all Clipper people as we once again enter the world of normality and face up to the stresses and strains that we have missed for the last 10 months! (Not!)

Tony....

(aka Raghie Peters, Mr Tony, Uncle Albert, Gandhi, Lt Cdr Peters RN(C) (Really Nice(Chappie))

1. Jo, London 28 June 2008

Dearest Tony

Your blog has brought tears.

You were and are one of the most memorable members of the NEW York crew - a very, very special person - huge hugs and loads of love Jo xxxx

PS First into Cork will be just fantastic - ENJOY!

2. SEAN, London 28 June 2008

Fantastic news again New York on your fifth victory. Keep up the hard work. Only one more leg to go. Sean

3. Amanda Tusler, Godalming Surrey U.K 28 June 2008

To all on New York
Fantastic, Amazing racing well done for getting to Cork first.
Just one final push to Liverpool looking forward to watching your progress.
Enjoy the stop over. Will be thinking of you, make it another FIRST to Liverpool ( or ahead of Hull and Humber ! )
Judith enjoy seeing all your family there - especially your Mum and Dad.
With Best Wishes Amanda

4. Iain Stewart, London 29 June 2008

Well Done Team!!

Great result-No 1 again! look forward o seeing you all in Liverpool. By that time you will have had a shower and change of clothes and smell nice!!

Iain

5. Jennifer Leech, London (...ish) 29 June 2008

Well done NY on another win. Lets just hope that is enough to keep H&H;at bay. Hope all is well on the boat for the final push into Liverpool. Great blog Tony and you might be interested to know that I too spent a night in A&E;with a nasty cut to the head (no I wasn’t drunk at the time). We can compared scars next weekend! Jenxx

6. Nicholas Gibbs, Haslemere 29 June 2008

Well done again guys, enjoy well earned rest!

Nick X

7. Brad Bender, Washington state USA 29 June 2008

Tony
As I dream and conspire daily to follow in the footsteps of the RTWers such as yourself, I found myself choked up on your reflexions of your trip of the last ten months.
Cheers to you and the New York crew. I will be hanging on every moment until the horn sounds as NY clipper takes the GOLD.
Also, props to Gary P, my compatriot from WA state.

Brad Bender
Castlerock, Washington USA

8. Heidi Meyer, Marin Co., CA 29 June 2008

Gary P.

Super, super win! We are so going to miss logging on to see where in the world you are every day! Congratulations to you and everyone on board. Go, go, go for Liverpool!

Horst & Heidi

9. Jean Kay, Poulton-le-Fylde 29 June 2008

Congratulations to all on New York, very well done!
Mum & Dad would have been so proud of you Pam.
Good Luck on the last leg.

Love Jean, Les and Auntie Dot X X X

10. Mo, Morpeth, Northumberland 30 June 2008

Thanks Tony for your super blog. Fabuloso result! This is going to be such a nail biting finish!! But you can do it, as you have all proved. Love Mo

11. Neil, London 30 June 2008

Well done NY, back on the top step. Looking forward to seeing you all in Liverpool and hope you have a good leg getting there. Great blog Tony, a very good read.

12. Susie Jackson, London 30 June 2008

Congratulations New York on yet another brilliant win! I’m really looking forward to seeing all of those I met in Singapore again in Liverpool and of course having ‘Captain Cowler’ home! Good luck with the last race, you can do it! Susie xx

13. Keith, Issaquah, WA 30 June 2008

Great job so far. One last leg and a win.

14. Rob & Anne, Consett 01 July 2008

Well done New York !!! You can do it. See you in Liverpool.
Rob & Anne

15. Linda, Bainbridge Island, WA 01 July 2008

As if the adventure wasn’t enough, New York, you have put the icing on the cake in how well you have done! Well done!! I can’t wait to see the fleet sail into Albert Dock and more importantly, to see Gary P. and personally congratulate him on his part in this fantastic race. Here is to every crew member that has been on NY. You all did your part! Congrats!
Linda Purdom

16. Kristi, 01 July 2008

Gary: Happy Birthday! and Congrats again to you and the New York crew!

17. Rooty, 02 July 2008

As you prepare for your final journey your blog provides a very succinct but poignant summary of some of what you have achieved and felt. You have no idea the pride your friends have in all that you have done and achieved. We all look forward to seeing you return to “normality”, although we are worried that life may well be too boring compared to everything you have experienced whilst you have been away. I am sure that arrangements can be made for you to clean the heads at work, go days without showers if it all makes you feel like you are still at sea. One last thing, considering the extremes of temperature you have experienced don’t you ever complain its too cold to get out of the car!! Needless to say you need to beat Hull & Humber and having followed everything New York has done for the last 10 months I too am confident you can all do it. One caviate though Tony if you dont win the overall race dont come home - you know I cant stand second best in anything..........lol

Good luck New York, achieve the ultimate that you so richly deserve.

Aml Rooty xx

18. Adrian, New York 02 July 2008

Way to go, Justyn. One more win to go!
Have a pint on us.
Ann and Adrian

19. Andy West, Portsmouth 02 July 2008

Congratulations on a great result, what a great present for V. Wishing you a happy birthday - hope you manage to rustle up some sort of cake!
Enjoy the last few days and look forward to catching up with you soon.

20. Felicity, School 03 July 2008

Fantastic to see New York on the podium again. Well done! Hope you are all having fun in Cork and see you in Liverpool.
Felicity

21. Pugwash Perrins, Londinium 04 July 2008

00:30 and we’re on the edge of our seats! Pesky New York not posting your postition.... Sail well New York and look forward to seeing you Captain Cowler (but just don’t bang on about how you made all the difference).

22. Judith Healey, Surrey/ Wirral 04 July 2008

Well done how fantastic to see you all home after such an adventure. Went to Wallasey to watch you all sail down the Mersey. Fantastic to know someone on board, hope you have had a ball Sharon.
All the best
Judith Healey

23. Kris, Stanford, CA 04 July 2008

Great Blog Tony, it sums everything up brilliantly. Good luck on this last race, although I know you don’t really need any luck. With Duggie as Skipper and with such a fantastic bunch of guys and girls as crew, nothing’s going to stop you now! Wish I could be there in Liverpool to see you all in but it’s just too far. I’ll be thinking of you all when you cross the final finish line.

Kris

24. Jeff Whittle, Southport 04 July 2008

Congratulations Pam! I have been inspired by the photographs.It looks amazing. Enjoy sailing up the Mersey. Jeff

25. Margaret, Kingston upon Thames 05 July 2008

I assumed that after Jamaica (JLD’s departure) my life would return to normal and I could move away from my computer. What a crazy assumption! And what an achievement, New York, with this double victory.
Congratulations to every New York crew member who took part in this journey and even more congratulations to Duggie. You really are THE BEST.
Margaret

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