Crew Blog

Dealing with chafe

28 September 2007

Clive Frost repairs chafe on damaged guy

G’day from the midst of the Atlantic Ocean - currently north of Madeira!!

Morale onboard westernaustralia2011.com is at an all time high following the 06:00 sched; now in first position, from second at 12:00 midnight, having made average gains of 12 nautical miles over the fleet during this period.

You can imagine how well this news was received after a hectic night on board; our first peel from heavy weight spinnaker to medium went like clockwork after waiting for the right wind conditions. We nursed this project as you would a new born baby, all holding our breath as the last piece of wool broke revealing the brilliant repair job!! All crew were involved either on deck or below, some woken to help with retying (‘wooling’) and bagging the huge spinnaker below, and then helping with further sail changes from our No. 2 Yankee to No. 1 as the winds progressively changed. Imagine squeezing a quarter of a tonne of damp sail through a hatch dimension of 75 cm sq. at 2:00am! That’s just one of the actions that helped improve our race position.

It’s not all tough on board; we celebrated with dancing to raunchy music and breakfast – porridge and pancakes!

On deck maintenance is progressing well, with chafe (that’s rigging not crew’s) being our recent priority; Clive is onto this.

Finally, do you believe in Karma? We do – Bruce has now lost his voice!!!

Must get back to Mother Watch duties, best wishes.

Lyn Condratoff
(Circumnavigator)

1. Martin, Dubai 28 September 2007

You are absolutely amazing!!! Staying among the 3 in the top without the preferable sail and then advance to the first place.

Keep up the good work!

The support team in Dubai

2. Lynne Rowling, Thornton Cleveleys 28 September 2007

What a crew keep going like this and the morale will be sky high. Checking on your progress is now a 6 hourly routine. Go for it Jack and keep the photos/videos coming love din and sal

3. Alan Bullock, Thornton Cleveleys 28 September 2007

What a great job you are all doing. I can’t stop checking the website for the latest update! Considering your problems with sail repairs, your progress is outstanding. Stay safe. Keep Jack working as hard as possible!
The Bullocks

4. Pam Rothfield, Melbourne 28 September 2007

You guys are fantastic - just can’t wait to get up each morning and see your progress overnight - (and blogs). So proud of you Jude!
Love Pam

5. P, Machrihanish 29 September 2007

that’s more like it J-B, now ease away from the rest of them and you can dance to your raunchy music early in Salvador

6. Jenny, New York 29 September 2007

Well done WA!! Give yourselves a pat on the back. You’ll be there drinking Brahma’s in no time!!

7. Lynne Rowling, Thornton Cleveleys 29 September 2007

Good morning,obviously a good nights sailing and your lead has extended. Hope all our other messages get through ther system soon, regards to al the crew and especially you Jack.din and sal

8. The Major, East Malling, Kent 29 September 2007

Good Morning all, keep the speed up!

Shouldnt you be turning right soon?

Best wishes

Cli, Charlotte, Alastair.

9. Hilary Woodley, Perth, WA 29 September 2007

Go WA! - it sounds like such an adventure (even the being woken up at 2am to tie the spinnaker part!), and being out in front must be a great feeling.

Hope Billy’s bread is living up to part C standards… Stay safe
Hilary

10. Anika, Melbourne, Australia 29 September 2007

Well done Dad (Roger Lee) keep going love you lots and miss you more!!! Cant wait to see you when you get home!

11. Monica, Melbourne, Australia 29 September 2007

Good work to be out in front - it’s a great birthday present for Pete - now all you need to do is stay there
best wishes Monica and John

12. Sean Daniels, St Helens 29 September 2007

Well Done Aussies............. keep going only 30,000 to go cya in Liverpool in July.. good luck god bless. Sean

13. Dell Trevethan, Brisbane Australia 30 September 2007

Congratulations on a great job thus far. We are watching your progress daily with much interest. So excited for all on board, you must be elated. Keep up the good work. Your support team in Manly Brisbane. Love you Brian, take care, Trevethans at Manly.

14. Jenni Graham, Warragul, Vic, Australia 30 September 2007

Way to go WA!!. I’ve just started following the race..how exciting..
Special “Hi” to Lyn C..Your GippsTAFE friends are so proud of our prize student..what an inspiration!
Jenni G

15. Anne Williams, Nantes, France 30 September 2007

Fantastic work guys! Congratulations on great progress! Will have a champagne to celebrate team spirit later today. keep safe and sound, Au revoir Anne

16. Rachael & Rob Arnold, Dubai 30 September 2007

Keep the lead up WA! We’re addicted to keep an eye on the adventure!!!

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