Crew Blog

Are we nearly there yet?

16 October 2007

Ride em cowboy. Nova Scotia's Lucy Mendham hits 9 knots cheered on by Paul MacGillivary

When are we going to arrive in Salvador? This seems to be the question that everyone is asking today - in fact we’re running a sweepstake on the answer. At the moment it ranges from 03.00am to 09.00am on Wednesday. [Note from the Clipper team: that’s local time.] If it is between these times we just have to hope that we can find a bar that’s still serving! Until then we have to keep focused on precise helming and trimming our sails to perfection in order to chase down both Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and Durban 2010 and Beyond. Our tactic to remain off the coast to try to keep the stronger winds hasn’t really paid off as Durban 2010 and Beyond still managed to maintain good boat speed despite almost being able to smell the Brazilian steaks being cooked and hear the laughter from the bars.

So how did Rhona and I decide to motivate the crew? We made scones with home made jam and dream topping! They were devoured in seconds and comedy moment of the day has to go to Robin the vicar who ended up with more dream topping round his face than a small child. We’re not entirely sure this has made the boat go faster - but everyone seems in good spirits - primary role of those on mother watch.

Mel and Rhona

One of the features of our new helm regime is constant calling of speed by a crew member for the helmsman. High speeds merit ‘reward calls’ - illustrated here is Paul rewarding Lucy for hitting 9 knots in light winds by singing the theme tune to Bonanza and flapping his sail tie like the reins of a horse. I kid you not.

1. Kate Mullineux, Edinburgh 16 October 2007

Nearly there Nova Scotia!! Keep going! Hope you manage to find the cold beers you so crave once you arrive.

2. Katharine King, Suffolk, England 16 October 2007

I REALLY hope someone caught the comedy moment on camera! Definitely one for the church noticeboard!!
So glad you’re enjoying this final day of sailing. We’re so proud of you all!
Tons of love, and enjoy the moment!!
Katharine

3. The Murphy Clan, Lethbridge, Alberta 16 October 2007

Hey Ed - Looks like you made it (hey, that could be a song title). What’s first, a hot shower or a cold beer? Marnie is looking forward to seeing you and we can’t wait to hear your sea tales in November. Great job…

The Murphys

4. Steve McInally, Southampton 16 October 2007

Well done guys enjoy the final moments of leg one!!! Enjoy the beers and the kick ass on the Durban Leg...........

5. Alastair & Mary Mullineux, Somerset 16 October 2007

Well done Nova Scotia. Gather you have had communication problems which you have bravely overcome. Cold beers only a few tacks/gybes away.

6. sue & steve Wilburn, East Yorkshire, England 16 October 2007

Hi Claire and all crew

Almost there ! your almost there !!! how wonderful, fantastic experience, i am sure you will all be glad to step ashore and have your nice cold beer, but on the other hand very sad that this leg has finished and you will have to say goodbye to your friends, but not for good i am sure that most of you will meet up again in Liverpool next year. Well done Rob you have kept your crew safe and happy and we wish you luck for the rest of the legs. GO NOVA SCOTIA GO !!!!!

7. Red Heather, Brackendale BC, Canada 16 October 2007

Keep focused guys.....It ain’t over yet.....Just a few more hours. As you know, a lot can still happen in those local winds. I wish I were there to greet you at the docks. I think you’ve done a fantastic job so far. I know it was great teamwork that brought you this far. Keep up the good work......Nigel

8. Katie Greenland, London 16 October 2007

So nearly there Novia Scotia! Well done ! Go Lucy - I’ve been following your progress and looking forward to hearing how it all went! Love Katie Gxx

9. David & Jean, Oxford 16 October 2007

Many congrats to you all - well done!! Nearly time to splice the mainbrace!!!!

We can’t wait to go back to Bures to hear all the news!!

David and Jean

10. David Rathlef, Victoria BC 16 October 2007

Good work you guys almost there.. have fun .. make sure a couple of pints go out for the west coast…

11. Davina, Southampton 16 October 2007

Come on SuperNova… nearly there.
Enjoy the beers.
D and Olly x

12. Jim & Mildred, Calgary AB CANADA 17 October 2007

Go Team Go!!! You’re almost to the finish line...Grab the wind and go, go, go!
GO NOVA SCOTIA GO !!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Mildred, Jim, Eugene, Agnes, et al and of course Oscar xoxoxo

13. Ragtime, Brackendale 17 October 2007

Way to go Nova Scotia! Congrats! You guys are awesome! Have fun in Salvador and good luck on the next leg to Durban! Dave we’re all watching.....

14. Kelly, Zenobia Yacht, Monaco 17 October 2007

Well done Monkey, so proud of you and your crew!!! bet you’re looking forward to a few cold beers and a good night sleep..... Keep it going for the 2nd leg to Durban....... things can only get better!!!!! Still keeping track as often as I can, take care, love and hugs xxx

15. Cheryl & Roger Mendham, Bookham, Surrey 17 October 2007

Congratulations on a well fought race! We have been with you in spirit every inch of the way. We are so proud of all of you - especially Lucy! Looking forward to following your next adventures to Durban! Enjoy Salvador! Love from the Mendham family xx

16. sue & steve Wilburn, East Yorkshire, England 17 October 2007

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM NOVA SCOTIA, YOU HAVE MADE IT ON THE PODIUM, all that remains of this leg is celebrations, so go for it !!!!!!!

17. Mary, Southampton 17 October 2007

Yipee, you made it!!! Well done all x

18. Jim Cronin, Bath,U.K. 17 October 2007

Hi Roger and gang, Congratulations on what was clearly a hard fought race! You pushed them hard all the way!We could feel the tension here.
Enjoy those beers. You’ve earnt them. We are all proud of your personal and team achievements,
Jim

19. Tricia Miller, Shropshire/Welsh border 17 October 2007

Many congratulations Team Nova Scotia. And what a nailbiting finish at the end.
A well fought race. Enjoy your R&R;now.
Looking forward to next race. Well Done.
Tricia

20. Kate Donovan, Scumpton, UK 17 October 2007

Go Mendham Go!! Well done to you all but especially Lucy!! Luce thanks so much for my mid Atlantic present, we missed you in the Solent this weekend but get drinking bubbly now to make up for it. Big hugs Kate xxxxx

21. Jim & Mildred, Calgary AB CANADA 17 October 2007

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM NOVA SCOTIA!!!!!
You did it! Celebrate your successful accomplishment!!!
Ed, we look forward to seeing you and hearing abour Team Nova Scotia’s fabulous journey!
Hugs and Kisses from Kalthoff Courtright Crew xoxoxo

22. Sue Kirkland, Hamilton, ON, Canada 17 October 2007

Way to go team and on the podium!!!
Just a note to say how proud we are of all of you and we especially liked the picture with Rick Smith opening the champagne! What a body!
Sue Kirkland and the hometown fan club.

23. ingrid kane, Chichester 17 October 2007

Brilliant - what else can I say! Have a fantastic time in Salvador and all the very best for the leg to Durban. Ingridxx

24. Emma, oxford 17 October 2007

Well done Novascotia You’ve made it! Best of luck for the next leg! It is seriously addictive watching your progress!! xx

25. Brian, Deb, Matthew Cake, Noosa, QLD. Australia 18 October 2007

Hey......... Nova Scotia....GOOD ON YA!! well done to all the crew, what a great result, it’s all about team work......... Rob you held them together.... YAHOO! Look forward to tracking the next leg.............take time out first.......... drink plenty!!! Brian, Deb, Matthew. XXX

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