Crew Blog

Always take the weather with you

27 June 2008

Despite a fair amount of evidence to the contrary, the crew of WesternAustralia2011.com have, until very recently, been convinced that the only wind in the whole world happens in short, sharp and well documented doses – and only well away from wherever we happen to be.

Lengthy weather analysis before leaving port, and detailed study of data made available to all boats throughout the race, couldn’t seem to protect us from being sucked from one invisible wind hole to another – the constant flapping of unhappy, empty sails like Chinese water torture on already stretched nerves, with each disappointing sched further compounding our frustration.

But if there is one thing that the crew of the BBB have learnt, it’s to never give up. The dismasting in the North Pacific pulled our whole extended crew together like nothing else could - those of us who weren’t there, inspired by the calm patience and determination of those who were. And now when the going gets tough (spinnaker damage, a third of the crew down with some vicious flu virus, low winds …) we pull together and dig even deeper.

Languishing in 10th position with over 230nm behind the lead boats just a couple of days ago, we felt we had nothing to lose. So, with the crew fully behind him, Martin The Bold redrew our line, took a gamble and headed south. And it paid off. We found the wind! Up to 40 knots of it – which has led to lively competition for the best surfing speeds (leaning forward not allowed!) This brief window of opportunity allowed us to take chunks out of other boats’ lead before eventually overtaking Nova Scotia.

So it may be that we come in 9th or 10th. Or it may be that, as we continue to fight tooth and nail for every extra mile we can claw back over these last few hundred miles of the race, we will finish a little higher up the leader board. Either way the smiles are back… and as we say on the BBB…never say never!

Becky Mantin