Crew Blog

Preparation week

15 September 2007

westernaustralia2011.com enjoyed a wonderful week in Liverpool, making the most of their final few days on land before the start of their epic adventure. The crew put in plenty of hard work onboard the boat, which was duly rewarded with time to enjoy the local culture.

Everyone’s been extremely busy on the boat servicing winches, clutches, engines and generators, sewing everything in sight, repairing stays, checking the rigging, re-fitting a new luxury galley, stowing all the food away and re-fuelling our water and gas tanks not to mention all the work that has gone into discussing the weather, navigation and tactics.

On Wednesday, the boat was inundated with excited children from the local schools who will be following us throughout our voyage. After much searching, and to their great surprise, some of the pupils even discovered a pirate hiding in the bunks. Their enthusiasm was infectious and they were keen to learn the “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” cheer ready for the race start. Let’s hope we can hear them on Sunday!

Team bonding was taken to new heights later in the week when the whole crew visited a climbing wall. Some of the more experienced climbers were able to do impressions of Spiderman as they scaled up the walls and even Freddie, the ship’s cat, made it to the top. The crew then explored the city, taking in the odd hostelry and China Town.

The boat and crew are almost ready for their 35,000 mile voyage and with all the hard work that’s gone into the additions, amendments, and team preparations WA is in an great position to defend their title.

1. Ken & Betty Vickery, Gundagai NSW 15 September 2007

Good luck, we will be thinking of you all on your voyage. See you in Fremantle.

2. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 15 September 2007

Wishing Martin and all the crew on westernaustralia2011, a fantastic experience, top start and good winds on all seas. I look forward to meeting most of you at various ports around the globe. Judy tells me you are all clearly a cut above the other teams so we’re looking forward to the best results. Enjoy every part of this great adventure; sail fast and safely.
Peter Lawrence

3. peter silk, penzance 15 September 2007

good luck martin and all the crew, hope you all have the time of your lives

4. Anne Williams, Wales 16 September 2007

Dear Martin and all fellow crew, Thinking of you all on board as you get ready for the start this afternoon. Wishing you all very safe and happy adventures- “Looking after each other in order to fulfill your dreams!!!” I will be following you every step of your way to Fremantle- good luck today and every day and I’ll see you in WA. Anne

5. Iain Andrews, Melbourne 16 September 2007

To Roger and all the crew - God speed and smooth sailing from down under!

6. Kerry Kyle-Little, Moodlu,Australia 16 September 2007

Good Luck everyone! Hope you have a great start and exciting first race. Will be following your progress. Go get ‘em!! Lots of good wishes,
Kerry

7. Beverley Formisano, Skelmorlie,Ayrshire, Scotland PA17 5EW 16 September 2007

Good luck to all the crew as you set sail on your epic voyage which will be a marvellous experience full of wonderful memories and lifelong camaraderie, good luck and lots of love to my sister Nikki who is joining you for one of the legs- keep safe, enjoy, we will be thinking of you

8. Pam Rothfield, Melbourne 16 September 2007

Good luck WesternAustralia2011.com Have a safe and uneventful journey through the Bay of Biscay. We shall be watching your every move - have fun. You guys are great!
Pam Rothfield

9. Rob & Rachael Arnold, Dubai 16 September 2007

Good luck WA2011 - we’ll be regularly following your progress and can’t wait to hear all the stories!!!! R&R;

10. Susan & Craig, Halifax, Canada 16 September 2007

Go Chris Go! We are cheering you on from across the pond and looking forward to following the boat. We want you to win. Can’t wait to meet the crew on the Halifax stop - a big party at Coasters upon arrival!

11. Willis Johnson, Lake Oconee, Georgia, USA 16 September 2007

Go Aussies! Wishing you all the best! Devin & Willis Johnson

12. bill atkinson, wilmslow 16 September 2007

for jack from bill & christine & the girls good luck & keep safe i will be thinking of you daily & keeping up on my laptop see you bill

13. Ylva Carosone, Melbourne, Australia 17 September 2007

Spiderman impressions on a climbing wall? Pete Heilmann could not possibly have had anything to do with that .....!!! The rest of the crew are just lucky there was no trapeze in Liverpool ... Good luck everyone! Remember, keep up the handstands Pete! K1,K2,K3,Y xx

14. Tim Scarrott, Neerabup, Western Australia 17 September 2007

Good sailing to all-- have fun and see you in Freo - Bon Voyage--

15. Edward Bowen, Dubai 17 September 2007

Good luck Western Austrailia, especially to Clive, Jacky and most of all Chris Vickery from all on Shockwave and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.

16. Jadranka Lota, Maidenhead 17 September 2007

Sad for missing the start. Good luck and see you in Jamaica. Jadranka x x x

17. Steve Sharpe, At Work!! 17 September 2007

Great to see you off yesterday, tracking you every step of the way. Stay safe and look after each other.

18. margaret Kimber, school 17 September 2007

What a fantastic weekend. I am so pleased I was able to be there to cheer you all on tyour way. Hope you have a safe journey and look forward to meeting up in Oz. Lots of love Johnboy’s mum

19. hans, dubai, UAE. 17 September 2007

Clive, Jacky,
Good luck on your voyage around the world. Try not to finish last please…
Hans, Ellie, Dosc and all the Dubai sailors will watch you all the way till
you two are safely back at base!

20. Emilie, Silje, Kristian, Stavanger, Norway 17 September 2007

Go you Western-Austria!!! We are with you all the way, and we are so proud of you, especially our lovely, cute, handsome SHANE LEAVY, the team doctor, a.k.a. Dr McWindy, can’t wait to see you lift that great trophy, Sailor-Boy! Big hugs from your Norwegian friends, including your little God-daughter Emilie