Crew Blog

New faces, new strengths

06 June 2008

westernaustralia2011.com's Leg 7 newbies

After many, many months of looking at the same faces and listening to the same stories, there’s always a buzz when new people are about join us, especially this late in the race.

All ‘permanents’ know each other very well, and have established a relationship of some kind with each other. We know each other’s abilities, both above and below decks; moods, music, habits – good and bad – helming quality, sail flaking skills and snake pit tidiness. We know who we like and who we dislike.
When leggers join we know nothing of them and have to start the ‘getting to know you’ process. We may have met some of the leggers before but usually for only a brief time, which is entirely different to living in cramped conditions for long periods of time. And so we spend time talking about families, jobs, sailing, sailing and sailing…

So, having lots of ‘newbies’ join in Jamaica was both daunting and thrilling, not knowing their skill level, their ‘agreeability’, their willingness to listen to instruction, and how they manage in unpleasant weather conditions.

I’m glad to report we have struck gold and knitted together! We have a great strong crew, all willing to go the extra distance. In difficult times when we ‘permanents’ have almost wanted to throw in the towel, a new crew member will bring enthusiasm and strength to us all.

Having leggers on board is not all roses! Many a time I’ve found a new ‘best friend’ legger, but know that the time together is very short lived. All too soon we have to wave goodbye, hoping that we’ll keep in contact but knowing oceans divide us.

So, the one major negative about having leggers on the BBB is; they have to get off! But this time they have to get off with us!

Judy Lawrence

1. Paul Loasby, Seattle 06 June 2008

I’ve just said found something I was looking for and proudly stated aloud, ‘arrr, that’s the badger’. It’s not a good sign.

2. pam Rothfield, Melbourne 06 June 2008

Great to hear that you are all sailing along merrily - at the time of this writing you’re in 2nd position - wonderful! Would love to see another podium - even if we’re not there to share it in person - we’re there in spirit! Can’t wait to see you all in Cork.

3. Monica, Melbourne, Australia 07 June 2008

Hey BBB, good to see your pointy end is out in front! Hope you can keep it there for the rest of your journey. Monica

4. Peter, Vancouver 07 June 2008

Hi Becks (Jack too), watching your progress, looks like the boat is flying, good move to break away from the fleet when you did, now all you have to do is stay in front,

bests of luck from all here, Uncle Pete

5. Mum and Dad Silk, Tenterden Kent 07 June 2008

Well done all on the BBB looks like that new crew member The Reader Clouds was useful ? have a great time & plenty of bubbly.
love & best wishes to you all The Silks UK

6. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 07 June 2008

Whippee!! Marty and the BBB crew, fantastic 1st place - so thrilled for you and congrats to you all. This is a victory for everyone who has been part of any leg on WA, and all we family and friends say well done. Wish we could be in Halifax to share in the celebrations but our thoughts and cheers go to all of you on board. Still two more races to go for another 20 points - go WA, go BBB. Do it again for us in Cork - see you all then. Hugs for all and extra kisses for Jude! Pete

7. Karen McRobert, Ashford, Kent 07 June 2008

Congratulations to all on the BBB, especially Martin, for your impressive first place position. You certainly deserve some luck at last, not saying thats it’s down to luck of course, we all know you work hard inbetween all that rum drinking! We have been watching the race inbetween the very odd bit of sunshine thrown our way, if you see summer on your travels, please send it directions to kent, England!!!!
Hope you are all keeping well and enjoying the race as much as ever. Good luck on your next leg, With love and luck, Karen, lee and now toddling Harry xxx

8. eileen, west midlands 07 June 2008

Congrats to Martin and all the crew on your first pennant - well deserved at long last. Enjoy your time in Halifax - love to all. Eileen xxxxxxxxxxx

9. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 08 June 2008

Hope you guys are celebrating well because I’ve just finished my third bottle of champers!
Jude, loved the blog and clearly you have “struck gold” with a great crew winning the gold pennant. Obviously you don’t need a radar, but get it fixed anyway, maybe good for those “on a clear day can see forever” days! Enjoy the big welcome into Halifax, the presentation and the celebrations. Waiting for more photos. Fantastic effort and result BBB. Peter

10. Kerry, Brisbane 08 June 2008

“What Next”?? Well that was pretty good for next! Just what I had in mind really. Anyway - BRILLIANT, wonderful, amazing, exciting, and many congratulations. If I came to Halifax are you sure you could not fit me in somewhere? Best of luck for the rest of the race. Would be great if you could do it again once or twice. Hard to believe the end is so near.
Lots of good wishes,
Kerry

11. Steve and Lindsay, Worcester 11 June 2008

Hi Brian! Great photo of the newbies! Well done to you all and Good Luck! Steve and Lindsay

12. Liz Watson, Chichester UK 12 June 2008

Well done everyone, what a fantastic achievement, very well deserved. Really looking forward to seeing you all in less than a month’s time now! Keep the kite flying, broaching to the minimum and get the BBB first up the Mersey. Love Lizzie xxxxx

13. Nick & Adrienne, Worcester, UK 13 June 2008

Hi Brian and Crew, Been watching your progress with interest. Were delighted to see that you won the leg between NY and Nova Scotia. Well done on second place in today’s race too. Keep it up! Hope the weather in the Atlantic is kind to you all. We’ll be watching. Love Nick and Adrienne

14. Jack and Becks, Norfolk 20 June 2008

Hi Becky my darling girl, how great to see you on video I was really envious of the thrill you must all have felt at your great triumph. Fantastically well done but now get out of your bunks and get moving again!! Go Go Go we want to see you on that podium back at home. Love and hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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