Race 12 - Day 12
Crew Diary - NEW YORK, USA TO DERRY-LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND
02 July

Colin Blears
Colin Blears
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Atlantic crossing on Missi

It’s great to be back onboard since leaving the boat in Qingdao and meeting up with the crew in Liberty Landing Marina. It feels like a home from home, especially after winning the same bunk in the draw (port side Top, by the engine room) as I had in Leg 5. Race day started with a parade sail past the Statue of Liberty before we then started the refresher sail for new crew. It is very reassuring to just run over the evolutions with the new and RTW crew so we get familiar with the safety improvements and the new watches.

The crew are all in high spirit and still keen to win a podium place in the last few races. In true Warrior style we were off to a really good Le Mans start in Race 12, we had Derry~Londonderry~Doire and Garmin off to our starboard, the crew were trimming well to start pulling away with the front of the fleet. In the early hours of Day 2 we had a good enough wind angle to launch Code 2 (Apache) spinnaker and start some nice downwind sailing or so we had hoped until the C2 blew 5 hours later. The crew reacted quickly and launched the Code 3 (Boadicea), and then started to inspect the damage. Unfortunately a few minor injuries happened and were being attended to below decks. I popped down to find what can only be described as Michelle lying on the Yankee being water-boarded by Rachel with a jug of water, when questioned I was informed it was an eye wash. Once fit for work and like the superstars that they are Greg's Angels (Sally, Tamsin and Michelle) started to work their magic on the sail repairs and were making good progress until the all hands on deck call to recover the Code 3 (Boadicea) from under the boat, the halyard had snapped the shackle knot.

On day 3 with winds around 25-30knts we spent most of the time putting in and shaking out reefs to keep the boat going forward rather than sideways until the weather then started to ease. This was my first day on Mother Watch which I always dread and puts the seasickness patches to the test. I managed to make it through the day and seem to have found my sea legs quickly on this race. On day 4 we took the opportunity to do some maintenance so my office for the next few hours was 95ft up the mast whilst doing 12knts to replace the spinnaker halyard. It is always a great feeling to put on the pants of power and get hoisted up the mast. It’s times like this that communication is really important and you place a great amount of trust in your fellow crew members. The timing was perfect as I touched down safely on deck we were hit by a squall and had to start putting another reef in.

Days 5 and 6 were uneventful as the wind continued to decrease and we got closer to the mid-Atlantic High pressure system. We did have a very unexpected surprise when the mothers Aaron and Paul announced the it was Christmas Day and tonight we would be dining with roast turkey and all the trimmings. As you can imagine this went down really well along with the pumpkin pie for dessert. On Boxing Day (day 7) the wind continued to drop and we were in the middle of a wind hole, d’oh!!!. On the positive side we did get to have turkey and stuffing sandwiches for lunch. The crew all worked really hard to keep the boat moving with Unicef to our north, Garmin and GREAT Britain to the east we were keen to make a few more places. Unfortunately they managed to pull away.

Day 8 still heading east to navigate around the icebox (markers to avoid the iceberg region) the crew were in shorts and t-shirts whale watching whilst the others were checking the kite trim and trying to make the boat go faster.

Day 9 & 10 we started to head north with the Code 1 (Khaleesi) flying well, we were aware the weather was due to change and keen to get the repair work on the Code 2 (Apache) completed. both watches continued to work around the clock repairing the tear from the head to the clew. Finally it was completed and we waited with bated breath whilst it was hoisted, as the kite popped open we cheered with joy to see the results of the last few days by our angels had paid off. Overnight disaster struck and our Code 2 (Apache) had her head ripped off, the crew worked hard to recover the pieces and get it back on deck. Over breakfast we broke the news that the kite was now waiting surgery in the sail locker. For the angels this was the start of groundhog day with the added news that the race had been extended, giving us more time to repair the kite and catch the rest of the fleet. Hooray!!.

Day 12 to help pick up the crew's morale our victuallers brought out a secret steak sandwich lunch folllowed by birthday cake to celebrate the Skipper’s daughter’s birthday, Happy Birthday Jemma.

We now have just under 900 miles until we reach Londonderry and we are working hard to regain our position ahead of Qingdao. The crew are also excited by the festival and activities planned on shore by our host port (Touch Rugby, Zorbing, Wipe Out contest and punting).

Love to all our supporters and families at home and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Colin :)