Crew Blog

Race to La Rochelle - 18 September 2007

19 September 2007

Day 2 Race to La Rochelle, and the first corner was passed. With the Skerries disappearing behind, a poled out Yankee was the order of the day, in strong winds giving us a reasonably rough wet ride. After the tough night, day break was a welcome sight. Our chosen path took us fairly well out to sea, and with it came a large swell. Some of the crew enjoyed helming during some great surfs, and whoops of delight were heard as the boat speed clicked up to 15 knots. A close eye was kept on the clipper boats in view, and the news we had passed one was welcomed by all, and the call went out to find the next target to pass.
One of our southern hemisphere crew members has commented how different the navigation of this stage is. We not only have to watch the wind, and try to predict the shifts, but tide is a huge concern as well, rarely the case in his home port, down under. On three occasions during the night, strategies had to be changed because the combination of wind, tide and a very sloppy seas meant we could not make the course necessary to clear the Traffic Separation zone, or cross it at ninety degree, so major rethinks became necessary.
As time went by, maintaining course became difficult given the swell, and shifting, fluctuating winds. Nevertheless the attitude remained very positive as we enjoyed sunset in the company of dolphins.
Thankfully Mal de Mer seems to have passed.

1. Pam Rothfield, Melbourne 19 September 2007

Hey WA2011,
Glad to hear Mel de Mer has passed. You’re almost at the end of stage one - fantastic. Jude I’ve been feeling sick - so I hope that means you’re ok! Can’t wait to talk to you.
Love
Pam

2. Louise Bennett, London, UK 19 September 2007

Where are you? You’re little blue pin cannot be seen on the map.
We’re all routing for you - in the english sense!, sounds like you’re having a blast in more ways than one.
Best of luck for the last stretch to La Rochelle - Loux

3. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 19 September 2007

Keep putting in the work WA. Not far for a bit of a rest. Not (probably) winnning this first race will only make you keener for the next. Look forward to speaking tomorrow Jude.
Cheers. Peter

4. Louise Bennett, London, UK 19 September 2007

I met this bloke with a didgeridoo and he was playing Dancing Queen on it.
I thought that’s Aboriginal.

Q. Why are pirates called pirates
A. Because they just arrrrrrrrrrrrr

I must do some work!

Keep ploughing through Best, Lou x

5. Lynne Rowling, Thornton Cleveleys 19 September 2007

Greetings WA hope the swell went well,obviously stories to tell,trust you are no longer queasy and Jack is not wheezy and you soon hear the finishing bell. Love Din and Sal

6. Paul Loasby, Melbourne 19 September 2007

Looks like WA is the party boat and you’re getting your money’s worth !!

7. Jadranka Lota, Maidenhead 20 September 2007

Seen you guys do the WA dance on the Water World programme on sky television last night. So wish I were there. Go WA!!!
J

8. Margaret and John Heald, Great Eccleston 20 September 2007

Hi Jack

We hope you have enjoyed your trip - someone had to push the rest along. Take care of yourself. Ring us on the land line if and when you have the time and we can ring you straight back. Love D and M. p.s. Need to sort out T.mob.

9. Anne Williams, Wales 20 September 2007

Hi all on WA2011, Congratulations on finishing safe and sound- hope you enjoyed the trip! Have been following the race on the web (great site- keep up the blogs they really are appreciated) and wish I were there too! Enjoy La Rochelle and good luck for the next challenge!!!
Anne

10. Lynne Rowling, Thornton Cleveleys 20 September 2007

What about the wind? Where di go Jack? Hope the shakedown has been good and that your ready for the real challenge. L o L Din and Sal (pommie ants)

11. Steve Sharpe, UK 21 September 2007

Great work WA, safe and sound. Enjoy the BBQ....!!

Steve

12. Mel & Des, london 21 September 2007

Come on Judy keep the boat on course. Red Watch members don’t come in last place.

13. Steve, thornton-cleveleys 21 September 2007

Hi all on board WA. Looks like the first leg didn’t work out for you, but it’s only half points anyway so not to worry .

Thanks to all for putting up with me and my camera on the Saturday before you left, the pictures came out ok and are posted here:

http://www.s-p-f.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1532

14. corey rose, hull 22 September 2007

hi jack jude billie & the rest of wa glad to se that you got to france safe. can’t wait to see you in freo. love corey xx

15. Too Tall, WORK 22 September 2007

GOOD LUCK POTTER....or justjack now you can see.

16. John & Karen Inskip, Blackpool 22 September 2007

Hi Jack. Sorry we missed you last week - no worries. Oh , the race? Try and keep up son!

17. Big Al and Baggy, Thornton-Cleveleys 22 September 2007

Hello Jack, All seems to be going well for you. After having some well earned sleep i bet that you are ready and raring to go off on the next leg of the race. Hope that you are enjoying every single second of this fab experience. Hope the winds are favourable for WA during this next leg. take care love Al and Bags xx

18. Norma, Grahame Laing, Blackpool 22 September 2007

A hearty hail to Silk and Crew as you sail and fight the waters blue.
Heading for a great adventure, all aboard the great ‘Australia’.
Calling in all ports of wonder in a boat from way down under.
Gybe and Tack, Gybe and Tack, Jack keep your eye on the ships old cat.
So with Boom and Sheet and Spinnaker spinnin!
set your compas point to winnin.
Good luck all.

19. Justin Silk, Dusseldorf 22 September 2007

Yo brother!

Seems I’ve beaten dad in posting a message! I guess it’s because they’re still on holiday - no computers in the Peak District yet.

Sounds like you had a Ricard or two in La Rochelle. Rumours are floating around that you tried to play Petanque on the boat whilst wearing an eye patch! Well that’s what I heard at the hairdressers in Dusseldorf this morning anyway.

Good luck for the long haul to Brazil, say hello to the crew for me - hope they keep you on your toes! Make sure they cut off that ridiculous mop before I see you in Durban!

Justin

20. Rosie, Dubai, UAE 23 September 2007

Clive and Jacky. At long last I see your pics on the site. A lot of us thought you were both running a beach bar in the Bahamas for the next several months and not really going on this amazing trip. Good luck and safe sailing.

21. Anthony & Ceinwen(All the Frosties), Chester 23 September 2007

Clive & Jacky enough of the wine and cheese, sun and beaches next stop, this sailing around the world is hard work, will be following every knot, lots of love to you both.

22. Stu Robinson, Cheshire 23 September 2007

G’day Western Australia.
Fantastic on making the first leg, now bring on the rest of the world! Have great fun and enjoy the big oceans. Wishing you all the best for your onward voyage. Big hi to Mr John Kimber, thinking of you lots and will be supprting you all the way, try not to be to grumpy when you wake up :@)

23. ARC Red Watch, Fleet, UK 23 September 2007

Wot no blog from Judy? - very quiet, and that’s not something you say often! I hope you’ve put the emergency orange somewhere safe - Des will be checking.
Good Luck on the second race from ARC Red Watch, Alison, Alice & Katie.

24. Pam Rothfield, Melbourne 23 September 2007

Great start guys. Hope all the fillings are now in place and secure - go get ‘em!

25. tony Kelly, warragul, Victoria, Australia 24 September 2007

Lyn Condratoff
getting great info about your trip, its so exciting.
Happy 50th for the 2ndOct.
Good luck on the next leg
Tony & Glenda

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