Crew Blog

Will luck be on our side?

24 June 2008

westernaustralia2011.com parked up and waiting for wind

Luck is something you need at times in sport. It comes and goes quicker than you can imagine. We’ve had three good races since leaving Jamaica for which all crew members worked hard and, along with our spot-on navigation, brought good results. The mentality has stayed much the same; helming being accurate; having a large number of crew members on my watch; keeping them fresh on the helm with shorter stints which increased concentration.

Now we have dropped away from the leading pack, we had New York within 20 nautical miles just 24 hours ago. During the night/early morning we have found the wind had dropped and a fairly large swell running. With 6 knots of true wind we’re flying along at 3 knots with the sea state knocking the wind out of our sails at regular intervals. As we look at the weather files and scheds coming through, New York are now 80 nautical miles ahead in a better weather system.

Where we were looking like being in a good position just yesterday, we are now looking down the barrel of a poor position into Cork if we don’t get any luck, such as the front boats being ‘parked up’ as we say, for half a day or so, which would enable us to fly past. If only life was that easy!

The winds are still due to be more favorable for the front running boats with better wind strength, speed and angle.

The race is far from over but this will surely be a tough week or so for us getting into Cork. We’ll be pushing ourselves to do our utmost to get some miles back on the top few boats. 1225 miles to Fastnet so there is still time yet, we just need some luck!

Jack A Heald

1. Paul Loasby, Seattle 25 June 2008

Just seen the picture of Jack looking frustrated in light winds. Haven’t you learnt to relax in the light stuff yet ? Chin up ! Hi to all the crew - a Guinness beckons....

2. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 25 June 2008

Jack, just spoke to my dear and close friend, Lady Luck, and she’s promised to come to your rescue. She said her thoughts are with all the Clipper boats, but was moved by your cries for some help and you’ll know her omnipotent presence shortly. Good luck!

3. Sister Sue., Aberdeenshire 25 June 2008

Luck Jack? You surely don’t need luck! The will to win will see you thru’ and knowing that all your friends and relations waiting for you in Liverpool willing you on can only be an added incentive!!
Hope all you birthday people were able to celebrate in an appropriate manner - any fizz left or had it been used up by the cook?
Keep up the navigational skills, is South the way to be travelling?!!
See you all in Liverpool, but please all enjoy a pint or several of Guinness for me in Cork!!
Love and hugs to you all Sister Sue xxxxxxxxx

4. Sharon, Perth WA 26 June 2008

Luck is so mysterious Jack and fortune is its’ brother. You are all lucky, you’ve gone and the distance and almost endured all there is! That is the fortune! The stronger winds coming will be great sailing and all the diligent maintenance done will ensure a smooth run and bring u closer to that beckoning bar in Cork. Enjoy the last days! Thinking of you all. Sharon xx

5. Shane Leavy, Freo, Ausrtralia 26 June 2008

Happy Birthday Marty, We will celebrate and toast our skipper with a true pirate drink. May the rum flow freely on board today. No bush jumping allowed. Best of luck in the final push home.
Shane and Lou

6. Margaret and John Heald, Great Eccleston 26 June 2008

Well big blue how fortunes change up front then so far back it was hard to understand.So now you are shortening the distance again you are doing well but just remember that people say you make your own luck whatever you do keep that 100% concentration up to the last. Be relaxed in light airs to make the best of them not sailing to tight. Jacko keep beeing your competive self hope you can continue to make up more on the leaders.May you read the weather well and good fortune as well as all out effort may well be your reward to get up front. God blessand God speed. J & M.

7. Monica, Melbourne, Australia 26 June 2008

Good to see you’ve moved up a notch. Keep on overtaking those other boats and you’ll be popping the cork in Cork! best wishes Monica ps Pete, Dad away ok today - upgraded to business class to KL due to overbooking!

8. Rick Palmer, Perth Western Australia 26 June 2008

It’s 2250 on the 26th of June 2008 in Perth and a quick look at the “race viewer” implies you are into a favourable wind shift.

First rule of racing, “finish”.

Second rule of racing “finish as fast as you can”.

Third rule of racing “never forget the first rule”.

Last rule of racing, “never quit”.

I wonder if you guys on westernaustralia2011.com know of the impact you have had in Australia generally and in W.A. in particular?! As i understand it, Australiian registrations for 2009/10 are at record levels.

You are our example. You are our inspiration.

By the way, no pressure!

Cheers

Rick

9. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 26 June 2008

Hey BBB, some of the blog humour is getting a bit corky me think. Well done picking up Nova and more still to run over before the finish. This is my last advice before leaving for “oh, to be sure, to be sure ...” Keep pushing hard and smart and will see you all for a bottler in Cork.

Page 1 of 1 pages