Crew Blog

Let’s go fly a kite

06 January 2008

Fifty years ago my sister and I were devastated when our lovely box kite won its freedom when the string broke, spelling an untimely end to that hobby!

Today’s kite it just a little bit larger and attached quite firmly to a 68-foot yacht. The kites or spinnakers are available in three weights for various wind conditions and controlled by five ropes which are adjusted to get the best possible combination of speed and course to our next waypoint on our way to Singapore. If the crew manage to get the spinnaker flying fairly well and the main sail which feeds “extra power” into the kite set correctly then all the helmsman has to do is the control the direction of the hull through the water. However this is a race and every 0.1knot gained matters, [the tension when the updates on positions of the other boats are announced is very real indeed]. So the helmsman has a grinder, a trimmer and two pole adjusters to constantly get the best from the conditions.

Helming at my numpty level makes me appreciate the super heroes and stars that do a better job than me in gusty conditions in the dark. As for me there has not been much progress in the last 50 years but there is still hope. Every change in wind speed and or direction has to be corrected for quickly to maintain good progress. If as happens every few seconds a wave comes past that too requires an instant response from the helm.

I am going to ask Clipper for a ‘box kite’ sail when we get to Singapore – it might just add a bit more speed for the next race. Sorry Sis but these kites are too big and too heavy to bring one home.

Keith Chester

1. Susie Jackson, London 09 January 2008

Nice crocs Cowler! Good to see you on the Spinnaker, remember; concentrate with the left and focus with the right! Sx

2. DEF Members, Consett, Co Durham 09 January 2008

Keith - What is all this about a kite box? get it out of the box an use it, New York need another first, all the best and love to Jen.
Regards
Robert

3. Mo, Morpeth, Northumberland 09 January 2008

Such hard work for NY and all crews in the stifling heat, but the daily scheds show you getting ever closer to Singapore. As you “sling “ the spinnakers up and down, think of the icey Singapore Slings at your destination. Or p’raps not yet, concentrate on that podium position! Keith, you can have a land based kite for your Birthday! Good luck to everyone on board. Mo

4. Big Al, Kettering 09 January 2008

Reminiscing of childhood days, you cant beat a bit of nostalgia, its an age thing, BUT,and its a big but you still have two boats in front and we are expecting you to finish first.

5. michael davison, england 09 January 2008

C’Mon New York 3rd is good but 1st is what we want,got my whole family blowing as much wind your way to help you get thou the duldrums..Keep on truckin..LOVE YOU SEZ..XXX
Mike

6. John Reynolds, london, england 09 January 2008

Hey, Justyn, happy new year. Did you see Christmas island as you went past? Send us an update from Singapore. Everyone sends their love. John Reynolds

7. jacquie gilligan, st neots,england 09 January 2008

Hi Sarah hope you are having the time of your life, we are all so proud of you and lots of us are following the New Yorks progress here. Lots of love to you and good luck to all your crew. Jacquie xx

8. James & Denise Archbold, Dublin Ireland 09 January 2008

Hi Trevor
Hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying yourself. A lot of hard work and you will be awfully fit. The excitment of it all between the leading boats keeps us glued to your progress every night. Keep up the good work and good luck to all the crew. All our Love, James Denise and expecially Martin.

9. Jo, London 09 January 2008

Keith - don’t worry about the last 50 years, in your 50 or so days with New York, you will make a difference.

Have fun, keep up the great speed and fly that kite to the podium! LOL Jo x

10. Lindsey Barry, Sutton Coldfield 10 January 2008

Hi Trev, Well what excitement with NY in the lead, we know you can do it. Everyone is willing you to win I have all of them at work looking at the web site everyday so do your very best. Thinking of you and sending love and safe sailing to all on board.
Lindsey and Conor xx

11. Pugwash Perrin, EDag London 10 January 2008

Glad to see all that training has paid off Mike, from the picture it appears you are navigating to Singapore with your nose, obviously sniffing out some oriental gin based cocktail or a Tiger Beer. What ever you are doing it seems to be working, but to keep it up maybe you should start singing to them, your version of ‘Hit me baby on more time’ is probably enough to make any of the New York crew reach Singapore in record time.
Keep up those knot things at the top end of the scale, you dig! x

12. Geoff Cowler, Hertford 10 January 2008

Good luck to all the crew of New York your all doing great keep up the good work.I see Mike is now allowed to hold a rope.Keep safe will see you in singapore

13. Hazel Gooby, Hertford 11 January 2008

Hi Mike
Whilst your standing there holding that rope you could be tweaking a scanner, I see they are keeping you busy , you look like your having an easy time, get your finger out and do some work, we dont call you capt Cowler for nowt
Love
Hazel
Keep safe you and team mates
Excellent skipper

14. Sarah, Liverpool 11 January 2008

I’m on the edge of my seat. Come on New York!!! Any pirates on the horizon yet?
Come on Jen - go as fast as you can. You can’t miss my 30th!!!!
Sarah
xxxx

15. Richard Jackson, Norfolk UK 14 January 2008

Hi Mike,
I don’t think that pose has anyone fooled, I know at least two people in Benefit Fraud who have ID’d you. You need to dress down a bit more before you become unrecognisable. Seriously, geat stuff winning the leg, good to know there must be some good people on the boat!

Look after the gal in Singapore and sail safely yourself.

Richard

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