Crew Blog

Pacific Calls

25 February 2008

Fireworks for New York as they leave Qingdao

The tension has been growing over the last few days in preparation for leaving Qingdao. After a hard beat on race 6 the warmth and comfort of the hotel was very much welcome. We’ve seen the sights of Qingdao, the Daoist Temple, May 4th Square, some of us even managed to make it to Beijing to see the Great Wall and Forbidden City. But in the back of our minds we know that race day is looming, questions begin to arise….do I have enough kit?… how long will it take?....Can I not just catch a plane to Hawaii???

The new guys have shown up and are getting the low down on how daily life on the boat plays out, some of us who have now been on the boat for a couple of races are desperately trying to remember how things work….how do we gybe?....which piece of string do I pull? There have been last minute panics and moments of mayhem but as the lines slip your mind focuses on the race ahead.

We wave to the crowds and enjoy our last 15mins of fame. The start gun goes and we are hoisting sails and preparing to tack…..back to the same old stuff(SOS)!!!!!! So now we are at a snails pace leaving Qingdao and heading for the rather large Pacific Ocean with both excitement and trepidation.

Sarah Nesbitt

1. Bill & Patricia Pidgeon, Cottesloe WA 25 February 2008

Dear Sarah, We are avid fans of the Clipper race and we very much enjoyed your blog. I was shown over New York on one of the Open Days when it was in Fremantle and we have followed its progress very closely since. New York looked most graceful when it passed us at Cottesloe on the leg to Singapore. Congratulations on New York’s results. Bill and Patrticia Cottesloe Western Australia.

2. sue nesbitt, England 25 February 2008

Go for it New York - hope the weather and your luck stays with you for this leg. Make it a hattrick!!

3. Campbell Porter, Montrose, Scotland. 25 February 2008

Calling Steve Nicoll on board New York, we will be watching your progress throughout the trip, have a good time and we will see you when you get home.
The Gers drew 1-1 in greece last week to go through to the last 16, and again on Sunday 4-2 against Gretna, I hope they keep it up until the end of the season.

Bye for now,
Campbell & Mary Porter.

4. Jo, London 25 February 2008

Great stuff Sarah - enjoy the snow (but keep warm) and turn it all into great balls of fire in the usual New York style. Stay safe - lol Jo xxxxxx

5. michael davison, england 26 February 2008

Another smashin blog again sarah..bet it was cool seeing the snow on deck,always good to have an extra (snow) man on board to help out..
Good luck to all on board and safe sailing.
Thinking of you sez..
michael davison.xxx

6. eric, poole 26 February 2008

hope its as good as when we sailed the seven seas, just remember steev you were swimmer of the watch,but dont tell the rest of the crew
bye
eric

Page 1 of 1 pages