Crew Blog

‘s no joke - it really is snowing

14 February 2008

A Uniquely un-Singaporean experience for Diana and Din - snow!

In the last 24 hours we’ve seen a dramatic change in the conditions and the atmosphere on board. We had reduced our stints on deck right down so that we only spend ten minutes helming or acting as shotgun/lookout because it has been bitterly cold, especially at night. Yesterday morning Din and Diana were on deck when it snowed. For two people from Thailand and Singapore respectively, it was a nasty shock. Luckily enough it got a bit warmer later and the snow turned into hail, driven horizontally at 25 knots. There is no doubt we are back in the Northern Hemisphere and while we’ve been away it’s become winter. We were still 400 miles from the finish and there were some grim faces steeling themselves for a few tough days to go.

Early yesterday evening we were told that the race would be cut short due to our deadlines that we need to meet in Qingdao combined with very light winds which would mean that we would never get there in time. The race would be stopped at 0000 UTC on the 14th of February and we had 12 hours of racing left. After that we would be motoring to Qingdao. Already the wind had started to lighten and all efforts were made to change headsails in the freezing cold and get moving.

We quickly went from expecting to arrive in four days to expecting to arrive in two and everyone’s mood lifted. We have all had an incredibly tough race and the prospect of bringing forward a warm shower and a room that doesn’t drip condensation was bound to bring smiles to us all. It was like flicking a switch.

So now we’re motor sailing under bright sunshine and a watery blue sky. The sea is green (not yellow) and there is loads of shipping to keep us occupied. It’s amazing what difference a day makes.

“Happy Birthday” to Tim in Portsmouth and good luck with the marathon training – love to Logs and Sam.

Graham

1. Caroline Timoney, Portsmouth 15 February 2008

Well done US… heres to getting warm in Qingdoa!!
Cx

2. Diane Thomas, Cranleigh 15 February 2008

Hi Ange, well done chick, what a hard race. You all did fantastically well and reading the blogs has been amazing. All is well here and we all look forward to hearing from you soon. Love Diddy.xx

3. Michele C, London 15 February 2008

Hats off and respect to all of you at the end of a very challenging leg. A particular well done for keeping the regular comms coming - I don’t expect that was easy at times. A beer and a hot shower in Qingdao will soon have those smiles back on your faces.

4. Cees Kniestedt, Chailey, E-Sussex 16 February 2008

Well done to all of you on the U S.. Home and dry now..(but I gather cold!!)
Time for rehydrating (beer) and fattening up on some great Chinese food before setting of to warmer climes. I hope you all brought lots of long woolly undies along and that the CH on board works a treat… Marlena, am looking forward to see you in Beijing for a few days sight seeing and offcourse looking forward to see all the battered and bruised sailors in Qingdao and listen to your adventures.. Enjoy the stay and take care,
Cees Kniestedt

5. Dave Rigg, Darkest Cheshire!! 17 February 2008

Hi Mark tim and the US team.
Seems like this leg has been tough for all concerned so well done.
Better not tell you what its like here. Oh well OK I will then! - its eight eighths blue but cold(ish).
Make sure you get some 5,0 shirts for the team for the next stopover.
Enjoy the break- sounds like you’ve all earned it.
Best wishes
Dave Wendy and Charlie

6. Sally Mears, London 18 February 2008

Well done all on Singers - for keeping your spirits up as well as arriving safely.

Good luck for the next leg - at least you’ll be heading south - back towards the sunshine!

Sally (Singers 05/06)

7. Cees Kniestedt, Qingdao Airport (snowed in!!) 25 February 2008

Marlena and all the girls and guys on U S, great to see you all in Qingdao and Beijing,
a bit on the cold side waving goodbye to you on the jetty, but all very worthwhile,
because of my Clipper jackett and Dutch lifeboat hat, I had my picture taken about 9 X with assorted children, old aunties, etc, very amusing indeed as I’m only a sailing groupie and not a sailor, anyway apparently the locals thought different… (fame at last!!)
I wish you all a great journey to Hawaii and no doubt the weather will slowly improve for you from now on.. Thanks for your kindnesses. Take care. Sail Ho and sail safe.
Cees Kniestedt. (stuck at snowed in Qingdao airpt)…

8. Gill Helbert, Basingstoke 25 February 2008

Go Baz......Good luck on your leg - It’ll be warming up soon then we will all wish we were there. Looking after Angy, who’s fine. Kids keeping track of you now. Keep them there ears warm!!! Spurs 2 Chelsea 1 by the way!!! Keep safe. The Helberts XXX

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