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East Sheen, London
50 DAYS? - Is it possible that the start of the race is so close now? It is wonderful
that it is so near in a way as it is all very exciting but, in another way, there is so much learning and researching still to be done. One of the marvellous things is that, by now, all our crew members (numbering
28 in total) have had a chance to sail the "Isle of Man" and what a great bunch of people they are too! If enthusiasm and camaraderie were all that were needed to win the race, we would be the hottest favourites!
EXERCISE, EXERCISE! - Yet another opportunity to sail around the Fastnet Rock was lost due to little wind, nevertheless, the Qualifying Sail had some very special moments. The words "exercise,
exercise" heralded test after test simulating scenarios that might well happen during the race itself. Among them were man overboard, fire below, rig failure and a sobering medical emergency. In the latter, a designated
crew member (in our case the oldest and heaviest!) was supposed to have a suspected neck and back injury out on the foredeck in heavy seas. The matter was further complicated by the yacht's doctor being confined
to his bunk, having an imaginary broken leg. How were we to remove the injured party from the foredeck without injuring him further? How efficiently and quickly could we do this, after all, in heavy seas the
foredeck is not the place to stand about and have a lengthy discussion! Needless to say, very valuable lessons were learnt and we emerged from the Qualifying Sail much the wiser.
Did
you visit the official BT Global Challenge website and see me up the mast at Tower Bridge? I was there, picture entitled
E-MAIL - I sent my first e-mail using the yacht's SatC dome from somewhere off the Channel Islands, so we know that BT's technology on board does
work! Many people have asked if we will be able to receive messages at sea. The answer for the moment is 'yes, a limited amount' although unimportant messages may be delayed until we reach the ports of call.
MISSING MY SCANNER - I'm away from home while updating my site and so pictures that I would like to show you will have to wait for a bit! Thanks for all your messages of support! |
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Guestbook updated? Yes / Legs 1-2 updated? Yes / Legs 3-4 updated? Yes / Legs 5-7 updated? Yes |
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