Crew Blog

Start day finally arrived - 16 September 2007

17 September 2007

16 September 2007 and start day had finally arrived; the glass was falling and the wind in the sails was far from what the GRIB weather files had suggested. Hearts were racing and it was a good start…we hit nothing bar the line and no one hit us, and more importantly we were not early to cross the transit. The “soldiers” course down the Mersey was a great spectacle for the thousands ashore and the sound of trumpeters and cannons left good memories as we sailed on. Further down the track things became more interesting as the fleet tacked and weaved to avoid the underwater sea walls. 40 knots were soon upon us and we were pleased with our own predictions and sail plan to suit as visibility became poor and driving rain made conditions challenging.

Soon we were out and the race to the Skerries was now on. The team on westernaustralia2011.com soon settled into race watches and we set out to hunt down the leaders. With sea sickness and lumpy seas we soon realised that all we were warned of was becoming true, but by midnight many of our worries had been absorbed by a competitive spirit on board. Dots on the radar screen were getting closer, the stars were out, and the adventure had begun…

Martin Silk

Skipper

1. bill atkinson, wilmslow 17 September 2007

well done so far keep up the good work martin make sure you work jack bill atkinson and looking forward to seeing some good potos of everyone on board & sea potos

2. Steve Sharpe, UK 17 September 2007

Go WA.......!!! The web site live info isn’t as good as I had hoped, so we’re running a little blind watching you. Stay safe & look after each other.

Steve

3. Jonathan Herod, home 17 September 2007

As a legger from Liverpool 08 last time round it was an emotional feeling watching all 10 boats leave the Mersey yesterday. Good luck to you all. I will be following your progress on the (much improved) website over the coming months. And Hi to Joth your race director. Top man. J

4. Les Pearce, Sandbach 17 September 2007

Great seeing you all off on Sunday. Best of luck for the race Martin. Will be watching you all the way. Keep Stuart Sim working hard and not too many cigarette breaks!!!

5. Paul Loasby, Melbourne 17 September 2007

Keep it up chaps. Has Judy started making pizza yet ? I think Stuart S still has my sunglasses from Part A....

6. Emily Bullock, Thornton Cleveleys 17 September 2007

Hi everyone!!! I’ve been watching you all on google earth so far and i will do all the way round!! everything is quiet in thornton Cleveleys without Jack Heald here stirring things up. look after him and don’t work him too hard like bill atkinson has said! good luck to you all and i will see you on the finish line where hopefully you will have won the race! take care
Emily Bullock xx
Big Al Bullock xx
Janet Bullock xx
Darren Bullock xxx

7. Colin Dymond, Western Aust. 18 September 2007

go you good thing , do u have a boat theme tune this time, or kept the last? enjoy as i know u will .

8. David Pryce, Hobart 18 September 2007

Hi Guys

Just a quick note to wish you all the best. Consistency is the key. Look after the good ship WA and she will look after you. Drop me an email if I can be of any assistance. We will be following you closely and chering you on.

Cheers Dave

9. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 18 September 2007

Well done so far, WA. This is just the shakeout to La Rochelle. Keep safe and sure.

10. John & Jaye, Broome WA 18 September 2007

Hi All

Keep the “Big Blue Boat “ going and dont let “Freedy” take the helm !!
Keep safe.

Cheers
JP & Jaye

11. Lynne Rowling, Thornton Cleveleys 18 September 2007

Looking good this morning on Google Earth. Hope everyone has got their sealegs now especially Jack!

12. Alex Whitworth, Sydney 18 September 2007

Go WA! No heroics - don’t break the boat, just keep it racing, metre by metre, all night and all day and you’ll win it.

Onya Martin - sorry I missed you in the UK but we’re out there with you.

Alex

13. Steve Sharpe, UK 18 September 2007

Keep your wits about you team, take care.

Steve

P.S. Did John Boy throw up that nice cake yet...!!

14. Louise Bennett, London, UK 18 September 2007

Go Go WA WA,
Was great to the big blue boat in all her glory on Sun - well done Judy for leading our tribal dance , you all really stood out(Shane, you need to work on your co-ordination though!).
With every race update WA is edging further forward-4pm high tea is the key.
Keep clipped on and ship shape
Best, Loux

15. Philip Booth, Ashford, East Kent 18 September 2007

Hi Martin,
Good luck to Western Australia from East Kent!
We’re with you all the way and enjoying the race site.

All the best from Phil, Jo, Aisha and Baby Harvey

16. Val Holden, Knutsford, Cheshire 18 September 2007

Best of luck Stuart - we’ll be following your progress on the screens at work. Congratulations also on raising �35,000 for New Hope Orphanage. Just remember those children are praying for you every day.

17. Steve Sharpe, UK 18 September 2007

Bruce,
First set of photos sent off all ok, I’ll post the disc and other bits later this week. Look after the skipper & crew. Thinking of you all everyday, look after yourselves and enjoy the short stay in France.

Steve & Karen

18. David Kee, Melbourne 19 September 2007

Go WA.

I hope independent thinking on tactics is behind the apparent course choice and not an error by the navagator Roger.

It is facinating watching your progress.

All the best

David

19. Bluebear, Brisbane, Australia 20 September 2007

Go Team Go… Be back by Christmas with Xmas!!

20. Tom, Orange, NSW 24 September 2007

Go Aunty Christine, I hope you’re having lots of fun on WA. Miss you
Tomx

21. Gerry Abrams, Sydney, Australia 29 September 2007

Good luck to all of you, a special hello to Christine Vickery. We’re sure you’ll be a hell of a sailor when you finish. Keep the wind at your back and gulp in the experience (not seawater). We’ll be thinking of you. Love, Uncle Gerry & Aunty Doreen. Cheers

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