Crew Blog

Porridge and Parma ham

27 September 2007

Oscar Yerburgh on the spinnaker pole, Race 2

Another gloriously sunny day on the good ship Qingdao. We are beginning to feel the increase in temperature as we head south off the Portuguese coast. We are stowing our thermal layers and already stripping out the liners in our sleeping bags. The slightly punchy start out across the Bay of Biscay provided an excellent refresher to our racing headsail changes and a few moments of drama!! We have also recovered well from our broach of two nights ago which, although dramatic at the time, thankfully left our kite intact. Like falling off a bike, and following a reassuring breakfast of porridge, our spinnaker was soon flying again and we are now making good daily runs. If anything, it has brought the crew together and increased out resolve to make the boat sail faster.

Passing the point of Finisterre and heading towards Brazil was a psychological turning point. La Rochelle seems now a world away as we are well and truly settled into the daily life of ocean racing: the highs of moonlit surfing down the front of waves; the lows of pumping out diesel-laced bilges. Slam watch are indulging in group readings of Moby Dick, while Glam watch are, well, just glam. Remarkably, given the rolling seas, there was no shortage of volunteers for the trip up the mast to repair the dislodged wind instrument and the Yankee halyard. Andy took the honours and did a superb job. The last 24 hours have been far less eventful, although if anyone has found one half of a pair of waterproof socks, I could reunite it with its partner.

Many thanks to everyone for their continued messages of support, the Qingdao fan club is a beautiful thing. By the way, a whole Parma ham on board; genius.

Chris Jones

1. Steve Pang, Ohio, USA 28 September 2007

Wow, recovered from a broach and volunteers to go up the mast. That’s the badger! Pirate.

2. Butty & Jo, Polperro, Cornwall,UK. 28 September 2007

Good to hear you got through your moments of drama team Qingdao, We are all watching avidly everyday here in Cornwall. What ended up as the boat tune? ‘I like to move it move it?!!’ Last to the bar in Brazil gets a lick ‘o’ the cat!. “get on!”

3. David Paulsen, Washington, DC 28 September 2007

Thanks for the update Chris! Sounds like you folks have had your share of excitement so far. Keep those sails trim and in one piece. All my best to Carrie and her crewmates on Qingdao!

4. felix carter, symondsbury DORSET UK 28 September 2007

dear Crew,
hope all is going well and you are all settling into your roles aboard the boat, the whole carter family is fixated with the race viewer and i cant help but keep checking it. love to all

5. Tatty, NY 28 September 2007

Go go go Qingdao! What is a small broach between friends?! ...even better if it means you get a good brekkie after! V glad you saved your spinny and don’t forget to put your sun cream on! Love to all, Tattyx

6. Rosy McKinley, London 28 September 2007

Go Qingdao! You can be the winners! Think of the steaks and mojito waiting for you in Brazil. No more broaches please. Go like the wind!!
P.S Great to see you Oscar on the spinnaker pole and glad you have a parma ham on board. Rosy

7. John and Daphne Jessop, Sussex 29 September 2007

Glad to read all on board are well and Qingdao is making fine headway. Like everyone we are watching all the time. Tell Gary England beat Tonga 36 20, Wilkinson kicked 16 points, now they face Australia next weekend. Keep safe and may the wind be behind you.

8. Pinar Ustun, paris, france 29 September 2007

So glad that things are going well. I am sure it is more fun than being in the rain in a city in traffic jam! Enjoy the ham!

9. Sam Kiff, Pembrokeshire 29 September 2007

Hi Ant and all onboard Qingdao!
Got some bad news ! Wales lost today to Figi in the world cup by 4 points. we are now out. Hoping qingdao will restore our honour by being first into salvador!
love from all at great westfield.

10. Peter Leung Leg 5, London 30 September 2007

Hey Qingdao, Glad to hear the crew sorted out the Broach and not letting it get in the way of Breakfast, especially with Oscar you manic food eater!
Now get going and get past those other boats!

11. Jacob &Meg;Kiff, Newport Pagnell 30 September 2007

Hey Dad/Daddy, Hello from us. We are really glad to hear everything is good. Hope you still having a great time. We miss you. Love Jacob and Megan. xxx PS hello to Sam xx

12. Cameron Hogg (age 8), Glasgow 30 September 2007

Hi Uncle Christian, watch out for the big island ahead of you. And I also hope you are having a good time. I hope you had a happy birthday and I did. Bye, Cammy .

13. Liz Hill, Shrewsbury, UK 30 September 2007

Well done Qingdao crew. You’ve come through some trials over the past few days and shown what you’re made of. Keep it up.
Liz and family

14. Ben Knowles, London, UK 30 September 2007

Hi Qingdao,
good to see you are sailing well and all still smiling after the broach. Gazza, don’t believe the hype, England will beat Australia! Wave to Tenneriffe for me as you storm past (the others are all on the wrong side!)
Ben & Gillie

15. jonathan ramm, suffolk uk 01 October 2007

hi guys,
i know you parked up now in the canaries don’t worry still a long way to go and 2 more parking zones to clear, doldrums, but cape verde first anything can still happen all watching and glued to race viewer..... any chance off a log to tell us whats going on nothing posted since 28/09 4 days ago… keep pushing
love to all
Jonathan leg 7

Clippe web team says: “ Qingdao’s next blog is due today, so keep logged on for the latest from the team.”

16. Heidi Carter, Oxford, UK 01 October 2007

Hey there Qindago! I am so impressed! Porridge for brekie .. what will be next, some spinach for those growing muscles!! Well as you sail into the sun you can be assured that as we sit in the cold and rain we are secretly jeleous of you all! Keep up the hard work, your fantastic and of course much love to you too mum! x x

17. Badgers Mum & Dad, Ardleigh Essex 01 October 2007

Hi Team Qingdao !!!, we know you’re ‘simply the best’,so on with the ‘Glam & Slam Winners’ show!. Keep ‘The Badger’ fed and don’t forget the sun cream. Look forward to more news.

18. Al Smith, Bedale 02 October 2007

Dear Qingdao.....
Broach? Did you steam it or grill it? Great to see your pics and comments. Keep up the good work, ‘Race viewer is our shepherd we shall not want’. Full speed ahead, Doldrums permitting. Lots of love from Al/Lisa/Chris’s Mum and Benjamin........

19. Florence Carter, St.Antonys Sch Leweston,Dorset 11 October 2007

GO GO GO !! hope all is well and sea wind is pleasing. MMmmmmmmm porridge, thats better than what we get for sch brekie! keep it up all of you nearly there. Lots of love to my amazing mummy(Bridget)! XX

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