Race 1 - Pre-race
Crew Diary - Race 2
13 September

Today is my Mum’s birthday, so Happy Birthday Mum and to any other crew supporters who also have a birthday today.

Once again, the weather is hot and sunny, which does not always bode well for hard work on a yacht but work has to be done as we are leaving for South America on Sunday and we all feel we need it! We are getting too relaxed ashore and need the independence that we all get whilst on the yacht, also known as the 23rd member of the crew.

After waking up and having our showers, we were surprised to learn that we needed to move the boat to the refuelling pontoon by 0900 to fill the diesel tanks ready for our Atlantic crossing. Before that, we had to empty the eight jerry cans of reserve diesel into the tanks and then top them up from the pontoon as well as filling the onboard tanks. We were late emptying the jerry cans and the pontoon staff were not too happy, but we completed the task and returned to our berth. We had a late crew briefing where jobs were assigned before we carried them out. The new ropes and replacement batteries had arrived from Gosport overnight, as well as the repaired Yankee 2 sail from Hyde Sails.

A few sail repairs were carried out once the spare hanks had been located, the riggers started on the halyards and the electrician started on the battery replacement.

More fresh food arrived on board and it was being stowed away in every nook and cranny on the yacht and we created a map of where everything was placed, vital if you are looking for a day bag in a force three gale with the boat rocking and rolling.

The other important job was the route and course plotting on time zero, as Mike had to register a proposed course with the Clipper Race office before a certain time, although this is only a rough plot as wind etc can change between now and Sunday when we leave.

This work continued throughout the day and with only a small amount of work was left and a halt was called, as there was a fish tasting event to attend for some people, a Skippers dinner for Mike to attend and a meal to cook and crew to chill out.

At 1700 hours I had to attend a media meeting where all the media crew from each boat get together and talk about any problems they have, and we learn from each other which is very helpful.

Pictures are also uploaded to the Clipper Race website and you can see these on the Gallery page.

I have had to take up my belt by one notch to stop my shorts from falling down, as have a number of other crew.

As I am writing this, the sun is going down on my right side and the orange sky is a beauty to behold on my left side, the sky is still bright with the moon rising as we look forward to a good but busy day tomorrow. We have the crew briefing in the afternoon where we will learn more about the trip ahead of us, and about what we can expect in Punta del Este. We will have intense heat and the doldrums to look forward to and I believe that Neptune has made an appointment with each yacht to welcome members into his club.

More will follow leading up to the start on Sunday.

Thanks for reading and your feedback on the blogs to your individual loved ones, and if you want to know more then please let us know through them. We need you as you are our 24th crew member.