Crew Blog

Island dodging!

28 January 2008

Second day at sea on Race 6, and its good to be back on the Lady Qing again!

Our farewell was as slick and professional as the welcome, with a corporate events company called Rush providing an occasion that will live in the memory of all the crews

Although this time the crews were treated to breakfast courtesy of Keppel, a curry as part of the menu brought a smile to our faces! We were then summoned by the MC - “Qingdao crew, man your boat”. We all received a small gift bag, a basket of oranges, and were treated to a lion dance before a few words from Sir Robin and we were off! Our battle song playing over the speakers as we slipped our lines.

Our thanks to Keppel and Singapore for a great stay

Also providing a rush was getting to the starting line, as we had to cross the TSS (TRAFFIC SEPERATION SCHEME). Singapore has over six hundred ships a day through the port, and they use a super highway of the sea, which is difficult to describe given the scale of the shipping witnessed, but it is like trying to cross the M25 on a skateboard at rush hour.

However with the help of the harbour master we made it safely to our starting position.

We were off to a good start, first on the line, but airs were light. The breeze then filled in from the land leaving those of us further out stranded, watching the rest of the fleet zip past us.

We are now beating into a 20 knot wind up the South China Sea. As always, the wind is just where you don’t want it, but there is little to choose between the boats and we are pulling out all the stops to be in Qingdao first.

The wind is already starting to feel a little fresher, and many of us look forward to leaving the heat behind as we head north, as frankly the air con on the boats is not up to much ( ie there aint any)

Our tacking is taking us between Indonesian Islands, which if we get it right we will avoid, without further tacking.

We have 1400 miles to Tawain where the weather is cold, but its hard to think about thermal undies right now.

Finally big hello to all at home, keep the faith, we will win one soon, fingers crossed this is the one.

Graham Calvert