Crew Blog

Things always come in threes…

02 May 2008

New York's crew concentrate on trimming the spinnaker

The newbies amongst us have settled into our watches well, so quickly that we have been able to maintain the trends of previous legs in the first few days. The race with Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and Hull & Humber has focused our attention, so we were delighted to take the lead near on 24 hours ago. Oh but how quickly things can change…

As we took over watch lunchtime yesterday the sun was shining and shorts and T-shirts were out on the foredeck. The wind was light and a huge pod of dolphins was out in a feeding frenzy off the port bow. It was QE2 sailing as Duggie calls it. However the realities of ocean race sailing soon set in as unexpectedly the strop on the spinnaker snapped. A moment of horror as everyone stared at the kite flapping helplessly held only by the sheet starboard side, the pole now exposed to the skyline.

“All hands” were called arousing the semi-dead from their bunks and we went into emergency action to rescue the kite and assess the damage. Thank goodness the next kite was prepped to go that we could hoist the new as the old came down.

Reality (QE2 sailing) started to emerge as we went back to the endless routine of hoisting and gybing. As I was trimming the new kite, sheet in hand, imagine my disbelief to see the other end of it come free from the kite, this time leaving two poles exposed. For the second time in hours we went into the “all hands” drill. In returning the kite to its bag people flew around deck, tidying away the chaos, but it was too late to stop the hand held compass from going overboard… Ho Hum.

Lol from us all
Alison

1. keith, morpeth 02 May 2008

Hi new New Yorkers and old New Yorkers as well - you seem to be having fun. Can I suggest you stay at “all hands on deck” it saves all the effort of going below just to get called back up again. Most excellent to see you are in the lead again. I just hope that without the compass you can find your way to Panama (hint - stay in front of all the other boats and head more or less into the sun)

2. Trevor Archbold, dry land 02 May 2008

YOU LOST THE COMPASS!!!!!!!

It’s like a part of me is missing. I feel unwhole. I nurtured that compass and kept it safe for weeks - it was part of every shift - occassionally even taking it with me to bed - much to the other watch’s chagrin (it’s not like they used it properly anyway....)

This is what happens when you mess around with sails and aren’t watching out for other boats. :-(

Felicity - let’s charter a boat - we’re on a rescue mission.................!

3. Keith, Issaquah 02 May 2008

Go, go go!

Time to get winded.

4. neal, Santa Cruz 03 May 2008

This is for Joanna Lloyd Davies . . . congratulations on doing what I’ve always wanted to do - an ocean passage! I met you on the New York in the Santa Cruz Harbor and you asked for me to e-mail you. Here I am, solid on land looking out over my vineyard, but you, you are having the time of your life flying across the ocean!

You just passed one of my favorite surf spots in Mexico, Bahia de Banderas, Punta Mita!

I’ll keep an eye on your progress, and when you get to New York, I have my daughter come visit you!

May a warm wind be to your back!

Neal

5. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 03 May 2008

Hi Alison, great to read your first blog, even if it was only about kites flying uncontrolled and directional aids going for a swim! It must be a good feeling finally doing the real thing and enjoy it all. Watch out for the BBB! Look forward to catching up in Jamaica. Cheers, Peter

6. Eileen, Tulare, California 04 May 2008

Hi guys - sounds like you have had some fun with snapping strops and lost compasses - eeek. But you are still in first position - well done and keep it up - they will be hard on your heels now Duggie! Take care and sail fast. Eileen x

7. keith, morpeth 05 May 2008

Hi New Yorkers,
You had us worried then - we even wondered if you needed the compass after all. Glad to see Uniquely Singapore did not pull a fast one (yet) - we land lubbers can not believe how close the race has become. Good sailing and lots of SOS.
Keith

8. Pam Young, Liverpool 05 May 2008

Lose the kite twice and still in the lead! What genius! Keep up the good work.
Pam xxx

9. Dave Parr, Fleet, UK, on the sofa 05 May 2008

Alison,

Your daughters won’t go to school until they have checked New York’s position on the web and the screams tell me you’re back in the lead again! They’re a bit bemused at Judy on WA - ‘Isn’t she supposed to be racing Mummy?’ I’ll ask her about WA’s cruising start when we see you all in Jamaica :0)

Lost compass eh? - keep the land on the left…

Take care and Good Luck to all on New York,
Dave

10. Lawrie Nicoll, London 06 May 2008

Delighted to see how well New York is performing.......true team work prevails!!

11. Noel Taylor, Fleet 06 May 2008

To Trevor Archbold.We found a compass in one of our christmas crackers you can have it if would help you with your withdrawl symptons!
Speed on New York!

12. Christian, Malvern 08 May 2008

Hi Alison,

More than a little jealous!!!!!!!

Have fun! cheering you on from sunny Malvern.

Cheers,

13. Chloe Mcdonnell, Liverpool 23 May 2008

Hi ! I’m from Liverpool , I belive your in 2nd place =] This comment is to give you some support through your journey in the race ! My school have adopted the Clipper boat Uniquely Singaport , We have also been giveing them some of out support . Good Luck ! Bye

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