Crew Blog

Race against time

10 March 2008

westernaustralia2011.com seen from the top of what's left of her jury-rigged mast

The chaos has been cleared, the jury rig has been erected, morale is high and we’re back to racing. Having turned on our motor we are now out of the race to Hawaii, but for us this is no cruise and we’re very much in our own one-boat race against the clock.

We are absolutely determined to make it to Hawaii in time to give ourselves a chance of joining the race to Santa Cruz. We’re only too aware that without that we will miss out on up to 30 points and our chances in the overall race are all but over. Additionally, there are so many friends and family coming out to Santa Cruz that we are doing everything in our power to ensure we make it.

Every day new sail configurations are tried and tested but so far we’re left with sails barely large enough to power a windsurfer, let alone take our 35-tonne BBB across 2,500 miles of ocean. We still have faith in our original “Sultana Plan”, based on sea currents, and using the motor when necessary to maintain high average speeds, the nav station has never been so busy! Constantly monitoring VMG, fuel consumption, heading and speed has become an obsession.

Yes, the atmosphere has relaxed but there’s a huge amount depending on the next 20 days. Now this is racing! See you in Santa Cruz….

Johnboy!

1. Sister Sue, Aberdeenshire 10 March 2008

GO JOHN BOY!!! xxx Oh! and the rest of your crew!! xxx

2. Gregor Sim, Glasgow 10 March 2008

Hi Dozza,

Sorry to hear about the boat problems. Spoke to Jo and she said all her hair has gone grey with worry. Hope you are doing well and have had a great time so far bud. Bet your glad you packed your water wings now eh. Take it easy mate and get in touch when you can. I will do my best to keep Jo from losing her hair before you get back. Don’t forget if you get to Honolulu your mission is to get a photo of you with dog the bounty hunter.

Gregor

3. andi, Stirling 10 March 2008

BBB crew, your one-boat race is being avidly followed and your enthusiasm and determination is to be saluted! Mum, i love you!!! Am posting daily but either mention of loaning my bra to your jury rig or my IT ineptness has cocked that up! GO GO GO YOU AMAZING PEOPLE

4. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 10 March 2008

Well done Marty and Co, you couldn’t be doing a better job to get to Midway and Hawaii under such conditions. Have organized an airdrop of Bombay Bloomers to add to the bras
and knickers - guaranteed extra NOTS. Keep on keeping on .... Peter

5. Jadranka Lota, Maidenhead, UK 11 March 2008

Hawaii… Mini paradise on earth or so I’ve been told. Not long to go at least. I’ve been already teased about being on the yacht-with-no-mast. There were various suggestions of how I could help propell the boat but won’t go into that… Hope the repairs go well and will see you in Panama.
Hugs Jadranka

6. Margaret and John Heald, Great Eccleston 11 March 2008

Hi big Blue good to hear morale is high. your turn for a break I think.just keep at it and all will be good for you regetably part of the joys of sailing. keep smiling and concentrating may the right winds return. feeling for you all God Bless and speed you. J & m

7. Jon Heath, London 11 March 2008

Hope you manage it. You’ve been doing really well to keep the knots up since the incident. It would be a real shame if you couldn’t race to Santa Cruz.

8. Stuart, Cheshire 11 March 2008

You seem to be making really good progress, let’s hope everything slots into place in Hawaii - see you there.

9. Carol Cooper, South Wales 11 March 2008

Hi there Chris (Dozza) Hope your hanging in there, sorry this has turned out the way it has, everyone is fine here in rainy Wales hoping your not too fed up . Keep your chin up
guys xxxxxxx

10. Liz Watson, Chichester UK 11 March 2008

Hi Guys. Glad to hear you’re all OK if a bit short in the mast department. Fingers crossed you reach Hawaii in time for a bit of R&R;on Waikiki beach, strictly human surfing only. Love Lizzie xx

11. P, Gleneagles 11 March 2008

Come on JB it is impressive recovery so far - use all the available wind sources you can find, or start rowing. Hope the mast fits! Stay safe - see you soon P

12. Brian Trevethan, brisbane australia 11 March 2008

Gday crew of westernaust. I have been following your progess and hope you have fair winds to Midway and hawaii. Someone will say that your current circumstances are character building, my character is more suited to the more tranquil waters of Moreton bay. Good luck, safe sailing, hope to see you back in UK.

13. Aaron Lewis & Natalie Jones, Wales 12 March 2008

Hi Chris, just wanted to let you we’re thinking of you, we’ve seen you on the video clip and the team photograph. we have heard about your teams miss-fortune, but hey ho keep your chin up, we think it’s amazing what you and your team have achived so far, just keep up the good work and get yourself back to shore safely...... we’ll have a hulk ready for you when you get home All our love, Aaron & Natalie. xxx

14. Hilary Woodley, Perth, WA 12 March 2008

Perhaps if Shane and I send over our collective windsurfing sail quiver it would help? We must have at least an extra 60 sq metres and 4 masts betweeen us! Keep going guys, you are doing a fantastic job and we are all so proud of you. Missing you all heaps, H xx

15. peter evans, 12 March 2008

well done Martin and crew, keep safe and fast and lets see you back in the race
pete doc evans

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