Crew Blog

Things we forgot?

08 May 2008

New York is visited by some feathered friends

Now the race is over it is hard to believe it is day 15 at sea, (where did all those days go?) Being on a watch system you only know when you are going back on again and how much sleep you can get in between, and as the weather has progressively got hotter so sleeping has become a lot harder.

As an avid Formula One fan I can now see the complex thought and decisions that the team have to make is crucial to the outcome of the race. Which tyres do you use (sail) when do you bring them in for new tyres, when do we decide to change the sail or gybe,
are the sails trimmed right for more speed, same as the aerodynamics on an F1 car, where will the finish line be? All these things only add up to small amounts but make a big difference in the end. Having spent most of the race with Glasgow on our heels one wrong mistake or decision and they could sail straight past you.

Our routine has changed now as we motor to Panama and all the crew work together as one rather than split into watches. Work in the morning in the cooler air doing as much repair work and cleaning that is possible at sea, then the afternoon to ourselves, with almost a full night’s sleep.

It has come to our attention that a couple of essential items have been missed off the boat. Having looked in vain for two days now we cannot find the air conditioning unit to repair it as we were told it had just broken. Also the ice making machine seems to have been left off the boat as well. Perhaps these will be waiting at Panama? We have now however managed to turn the snake pit into a jacuzzi and rigged up a gym, The skipper keeps reminding us that this is not the QE2. There is one thing we have kept to is Pimm’s in the afternoon and as it is Pimm’s o’clock now I will be off to sit in the deck lounge.

Paul Kerby
“Far Away”

1. Tony Kerby, Tamworth 13 May 2008

Well its Pimms a clock here too! just drining the second one on the decking - sun blazing, no honist it realy is Hot here.
Did you look in the head, mst things end up in there.
When you find them the air con can easly be fixed by opening a port hole and iam affraid the ie maker only works in the northern hemispher.

Well done bro,

Tony

2. Phil, My desk - Cheltenham 14 May 2008

Have bookmarked the webcams on the Panama Canal to keep an eye out for the boats going through - any idea when than might be yet? Not sure where these comments end up, so hope Jo gets to see them and knows we’re all thinking of everyone. It just sounds so brilliant and I’m very envious - still! At least it’s been nice and warm in Blighty too..........lol Px

3. keith, morpeth 14 May 2008

Hi New Yorkers,
Now I know Duggie has gone soft or at least mellowed. I remember well the “does it make the boat go faster?” interrogations with Duggie on Leg 4. So .... why aren’t the birds flapping their wings? They are adding weight and wind resistance! Seriously though well done, enjoy the next few days and regards to a fantastic crew and skipper (even if he is getting soft!).

4. Margaret, Kingston upon Thames 14 May 2008

Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful and well-earned break in Panama. Never mind the sight seeing - should there be any. Enjoy unlimited showers and (hopefully) fresh food. A modicum of drink should be included, purely for medicinal purposes.
Travel safely but prestissimo to Jamaica. All good wishes, M

5. Lisa Lazzari, Santa Cruz 15 May 2008

Good job New York we knew you could do it!!!!

Love From Lisa & Larisa in Santa Cruz

6. John Doyle, New Zealand 15 May 2008

Hi New York and Kris,
We also are going to watch the Canal to try and get a glimpse of you going through. It is very exciting, hope you can all have a bit of time to recharge whilst awaiting your passage through. Some great photos, keep them coming. Quick message for Kris, if you have any problems with flights in Jamaica give us a ring.

7. Brenda Bellisai, Work - lunchtime 15 May 2008

Dear Jo,
Congratulations from the Bellisai family - the Welsh, Italian and Polish flags are flying on your behalf. Will celebrate with laver bread, spaghetti and vodka… Hope you are all taking some time to enjoy yourselves - as if ......
lots of love, Brenda

8. alan france, liverpool 18 May 2008

Dear Crew
I hope Joanna LLoyd Davis is looking after you all
love the hair do Joanna

Come on you must be first to NewYork

Liverpool is already storing the booze for your return

regards ALAN

9. Margaret, Kingston upon Thames 18 May 2008

Travel safely and good luck in the next race. Best wishes to every crew member. Margaret

10. Michael Davison, UK 19 May 2008

Hello new york & sarah..think i missed you going thru the canal,but did see some of the tankers that you would have been sailing past,hope you got some good pics,puts the locks in st neots to shame huh..but hope none of the tankers tryed bullying you,cos i think its,steam gives way to sail...yes..?How i know that,im not to sure..
great keeping tabs on you all..only 2rd place on the podium..
c’mon..michael.x

11. rae, minneapolis, minnesota, usa 19 May 2008

Congratulations and good luck to all! You made it past the Canal - one way or another! All the best! Rae and gang.

12. Christian, Malvern 19 May 2008

FAO Alison Parr
________________________________
Sounds like Hell!

Hope you’re enjoying the trip Alison!

Cheers,

13. Nigel B, Land-Locked London 20 May 2008

Looks like a storming start! Keep it up NY, this legs yours. Good luck JLD and the crew.

14. Margaret, Kingston upon Thames 20 May 2008

Wonderful to see you leading. Just keep it that way. I am cheering so loudly that: 1. you must be able to hear me; 2. I have a sore throat! Go for it. Best wishes to you all and love to JLD, Margaret

15. Margaret murphy, LIVERPOOL 20 May 2008

JUSTYN AND THE CREW OF THE NEW YORK.
WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE RETURN TO LIVERPOOL
MARGARET LIVERPOOL.

16. Margaret murphy, LIVERPOOL 20 May 2008

I think they are the Liverbirds .On the wrong Clipper
well done New York
Margaret Liverpool

17. Taraja Richards, Montego Bay, Jamaica 22 May 2008

Big ups to the New York Crew!!!! Cant wait to see my friend Veronica in Jamaica tommorow!!!!!

18. Margaret, Kingston upon Thames 22 May 2008

This enthusiastic fan was up at 5.a.m. to find out how you were doing. It is worth every minute of lost sleep to find you on the podium yet again. Congratulations to you all. You deserve your success. Although JLD is leaving you I shall still be cheering you on for the rest of the race. Margaret

19. Nigel B, Land-Locked London 22 May 2008

Many congratulations to the crew on the podium place. JLD, celebrate in style - you deserve it. I hope that bottle of rum you were trailing behind the boat didnt cost you more than 57 seconds but at least it will be cold!

20. Dee & Tony, Cornwall 22 May 2008

Joanna
Finally received all your updates, (SPAM killer working overtime), glad to hear you are having such a wonderful voyage. Will your hair ever recover??!! Just slick on some red lipstick instead!
Keep living the dream, hope the seasickness has abated.
Lots of love and good luck.
Dee & Tony

21. Ellie-Mae, Liverpool 23 May 2008

Hi! I’m from Liverpool and we’re following the race Congratulations your 2nd in the race! We are supporting Qingdao and Uniquely Singapore but we are still happy that your in 2nd place =] So hope you are doing well thats it thanks for reading

Bye!

22. Jennifer Leech, London (ish..) 23 May 2008

Hi all on NY, CONGRATS on another podium finish. Bad Jen for not looking on the website for a while, but hope all is well and the crew is fully prepared for the return of Capt Cowler. Saw him last week and he mentioned he was dying to fix the heads, mend anything above the top spreader on the mast, pump out bilges by hand and rejoin the port aft love in. Look forward to catching up with you all in Liverpool. Jenxx

23. Brenda and Ken, Christchurch, NZ 25 May 2008

Hi Judith,
Off again! Not long to enjoy the en suites! How long before you are next ‘cleaned up’ in New York? How much can you get clean in 20 seconds under the shower? Show those Hull and Humber folks how to sail a yacht! Best of luck. Love M&D;.

24. Geoff & Jean Cowler, Hertford UK 27 May 2008

Hello Duggie and all the crew of New York and of course Mike Cowler, well done everyone keep moving through the fleet as your are and show Hull & Humber your stern all the way to New York. good sailing and keep safe. Geoff & Jean

25. layla al-momani, antartica 27 May 2008

go new york go go go new york!!!!
cummon guys u r doin sooooooooooooooo well!!!!!
im jst sitting here, on ma nice nd cozy sofa, manging on a delicious roast, wochin britain’s got talent.
so wot bout u?
lol!!!!!
lov u nd miss u mummy/shazza
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