Crew Blog

What happened to the downwind sailing?

10 December 2007

Qingdao's foredeck - cold and wet in the Southern Ocean

Today, we left the Southern Ocean and it’s about the right time for the Pirate (or Kato, Nic-Nak, Kanger and occasionally Steve) to write few words. I thought I’d describe our experiences of the Southern Ocean.

For the last couple of weeks our expectations of sailing downwind on huge swells and fast speeds slowly ebbed away as we seemed to chase the high pressure east of us. Days at an angle where mountaineering skills were required to get from the galley to the saloon area and performing press-ups just to move around although I had thought that using the climbing harness to go to the head was a little extreme!

Sail changes were particularly interesting, large cold waves washing over the boat as we laboured to unhank one Yankee ready to hank on another. Cold fingers, soaked oilies, hats flying over board and wet boots all added to the perverse fun. Raising the spinnaker pole last night was also remarkable. Performed under the steaming light with pitch black sky, it felt like we weren’t in the Southern Ocean but on a film set, with people rocking the boat and buckets of water thrown at us to simulate the sea. When the evolution was complete and the sun rising behind us, we realized that, finally, we were in for some downwind sailing.

Pirate (or see other names above)

1. Neil, london 11 December 2007

Go Qingdao, go! I’m watching your progress daily and looking forward to joining you on leg 5. Regards to all - Neil M.

2. andy Moore, the centre of the northern world 11 December 2007

Knowlsey

Pull your finger out!
What are you playing at, if you don’t finish up front you will have to go back to your Tony the Tiger adventure weekends, you know the ones swinging from pub to pub( don’t worry Karen not by car keys by taxi vines). I haven’t read all the other messages been off air for a while I’ve had magners disease, but i’m now over that because your nearly home. I’m now coming down with supp all Knowlsey’s ale disease.
P.S. just to keep the kids involved they have had a fire at school today just after their play and the school is shut.i wish work was. Oh i forgot just following on from Dave and showing where you are for work, your just out in a canoe just near Panama.

3. KT, Bristol 11 December 2007

Good to hear from you Pirate, we’ve been reading your blog here but I haven’t managed to work out how to email you yet. It all sounds very exciting, hope you lot in the South get some speed up soon against the Northerly Durban, good to see the Lady Qing gaining a place today.

4. The Badger's sister, Sedgefield 12 December 2007

Come on Qingdao - go, go, go!!!!! Soooooo exciting watching the final miles - you are right up there. Well done everyone - keep going and just think of the shrimps on the barbie and cold beers waiting in good old Oz.

5. Susan & Rod, Huddersfield 12 December 2007

Life on the ocean wave just gets better. Come you guys not far to go now. Enjoy every minute of it. Sue & Rod

6. sara and bill burgess, Newport, Shropshire 12 December 2007

Dear Charlie and Qingdao team. Sounds like the seas are a thrill a minute and you are having a roller coaster ride!! Charlie your girls are on the way to Freemantle and very excited about seeing you again. We’re catching up with Tony and Antoinette tonight over a seasonal meal and will raise a glass to all the crew. We are thinking of you and send you our good luck greetings. Stay safe and well.

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