Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 15-JUL-1997
Time 08:49:12

WELL ONLY 225ML TO GO TO THE FINISH ALTHOUGH WE MAY HAVE PROBLEMS SEEING THE LINE IN ALL THIS FOG.

THIS IS LIKELY TO BE THE PENULTIMATE DAILY REPORT AND IT CERTAINLY WONT BE THE SAME CONTEMPLATING THE WEATHER SITUATION OVER LONDON AND THE LEVEL OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON THE M25.

EXCELLENT SAILING YESTERDAY WHEN WE STARTED PULLING MILES BACK ON SAVE WHO MUST HAVE FELT THE PRESSURE AS THEY BLEW THEIR HEAVY SPIN AND HAD TO RESORT TO POLED OUT HEADSAILS ALTHOUGH THEY WERE GIVEN A REPRIEVE WHEN THE WIND DROPPED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.

I MENTIONED IN MY PREVIOUS REPORT THAT THAT THE SITUATION IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT EXPERIENCED NEAR THE END OF THE FIRST LEG AND AS IF TO SUBSTANTIATE MY STORY A NUMBER OF FISHING VESSELS HAVE BEEN MOVING AROUND US BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THEIR NETS ARE BEING TOWED RATHER THAN LEFT IN PLACE TO SNARE THE UNWARY.

IT WILL BE KIND OF STRANGE TO SEE THE ENGLISH COAST AGAIN BUT IT IS NICE TO REFLECT ON THE FACT THAT NOTHING REALLY CHANGES WITH SUMMER ON THE CORNISH RIVIERA CELEBRATED BY FOG 'MIZZLE' (CORNISH TERM FOR DRIZZLE) AND A POLLUTED OCEAN.

KIND REGARDS & LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL IN SOUTHAMPTON
NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 14-JUL-1997
Time 09:20:01

DAILY REPORT
YACHT COMMERCIAL UNION
DATA COMPILED AT 0820 HRS ON MONDAY 14 JULY 1997

THEY THINK IT'S ALL OVER!
This is likely the penultimate report of the last leg. Neverthe less, whether our minds our in Southampton or not, there are still 450 miles to go and a lot of wind, rain and maybe sunshine to experience yet.
Having had relatively balmy winds over the last two weeks we are now getting the expected - 25 knot winds pushing the boom into the water and the bow-wave over the gunwales. For the leggers Lorna and Glenda, who wanted a little fun on this leg, this is manner from heaven. For the rest of us who have gone around the track now this is something of a 'deja vu' as we remember that the weather at the start of this long voyage, on leaving Southanpton on 29 Sept last year, was quite vigorous. Those on the spectator boats will probably remember too!
With between 50 - 70 hours to go to the finish line in Southampton Water and then the jollies on Ocean Village we are all aware that this race is not over. 'It is now!' we can say when we hear the scrape of rubber on wood, the sound of winches pulling their berthing warps tight on to the pontoon, and see the wheel and the trussed mainsail centred in the cockpit.
Trevor

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 13-JUL-1997
Time 08:40:34

TO RHQ FM CU ASSURANCE

WE WERE GOING SO WELL YESTERDAY AND DREAMING OF A TUESDAY ETA (EARLY HOT SHOWER AND COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF CHAMPAGNE) WHAT A MISTAKE AS THE WIND HAS NOW BACKED AND REDUCED IN STRENGTH. STILL WE DO NOW HAVE A SPIN. UP WHICH HAS REFOCUSED OUR ATTENTION TO THE JOB IN HAND AS WE ARE NOW BACK TO TRIM TRIM TRIM.

IT IS LIKELY TO BE AN INTERESTING FINISH WITH THE BOATS FROM 4TH PLACE DOWN BEING VERY CLOSE TOGETHER. WE ARE CURRENTLY HOLDING ONTO 4TH PLACE WITH SAVE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND. THIS REMINDS US OF A SITUATION ON THE 1ST LEG JUST OFF THE COAST OF BRAZIL WHEN IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES WE WERE BROUGHT TO A GRINDING HALT WHEN WE BECAME ENTANGLED IN SOME FISHERMENS NETS AND LOST OUT TO SAVE AS A RESULT. LETS HOPE THE BRITISH FISHERMEN ARE KINDER TO US. PERHAPS THEY ARE FEELING CHARITABLE AND WILL LAY A TRAP FOR SAVE INSTEAD.

SID THE BOWMAN SHANKS LIVENED UP THE CHAT SHOW YESTERDAY WHEN AS DUTY MASTER OF CEREMONIES HE CONDUCTED THE SHOW AS LORD LUCAN FROM ONBOARD THE AMOCO CADIZ AND PROCEEDED TO ENTERTAIN THE FLEET WITH VARIOUS RECORDINGS OF EVENTS RELEVANT TO EACH BOAT. GROUP 4 MUST HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE RECORDING OF 2 CREW MEMBERS MOVING A SAIL ON DECK FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER!

THREE IRISH INVENTIONS FOR YOU -
SOLAR POWERED TORCH
FIRE PROOF MATCHES
EJECTOR SEAT FOR HELICOPTERS

KIND REGARDS NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 12-JUL-1997
Time 08:51:34

DAILY REPORT
YACHT COMMERCIAL UNION
DATA COMPILED AT 0800 ON SATURDAY 12 JULY 1997

MOBY DICK'S ACADEMY
I believe that Moby Dick said that the whaling ship on which he served his time was his 'Harvard and Yale'. This led me to think what kind of academy the good ship Commercial Union has been for us these past ten months.Has it been our Harrow and Eton, our Oxford and Cambridge? Or Broadmore and Holloway? On the basis that sailing the Challenge requires, to a certain extent, the deprivation of the senses, curtailing of emotions and suspension of belief, it may be difficult to choose. That's leaving aside the cost of this special kind of education!
Instead of the regular Cordon Blue Cookery courses there is Mother Watch. This is something of a mixture of Fanny Craddock and the Roux Brothers, with a spinkle of Keith Floyd. However it is doubtful whether Oliver Twist would ask for seconds of the porridge or Billy Bunter the largerportion of the cherry cheesecake. Even motor mechanics claases at the local institute are covered, with the additional attraction that repairs are done whilst getting covered in smelly bildge water and rocking at rolling at 45 degrees. Language courses, no problem. Swedish, Dutch (double), American and Gobblerdegook are in this semester's prpgramme.
All in all we feel well prepared for our imminent return to 'real life'. However, just in case we feel our escape from the Leadership Programme of Moby Dick Merriweather will deliver us to a new Utopia I relate the case of Brendan Behan who, returning to a rapturous welcome at Dublin Quay after his release from an English jail to shouts of 'Freedom for Behan', was heard to say 'It was Ireland I left to get my freedom in the first place!'

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 11-JUL-1997
Time 08:03:55

WELL WE WERE STORMING ALONG LAST NIGHT AND IT LOOKED AS THOUGH WE WOULD MAKE IT BACK FOR CHRISTMAS (1998) AFTER ALL. HOWEVER WE OBVIOUSLY CANT HAVE TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING SO HERE WE ARE WITH FLUCTUATING WINDS BUT AT LEAST ITS A VERY BRIGHT CRISP MORNING THE SORT OF MORNING THAT WILL SOON BE IDEAL FOR A CROSS COUNTRY RUN!

WITH THE ETA IMPROVING ALL THE TIME WE ARE ALL RELIEVED THAT IT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY TO 'EAT A CREW MEMBER' WHICH WAS ONE OF RICHARDS SUGGESTIONS FOR NOURISHMENT WHEN IT LOOKED AS THOUGH WE MIGHT RUN OUT OF FOOD.

WHAT A BRIGHT CHAT SHOW THIS MORNING (I DONT THINK) PAUSE STATED THAT THEY HAD SPOKEN TO THE QE2 WHO WERE ON ROUTE TO SOUTHAMPTON. APPARENTLY THEY WERE THEN GOING ON TO SPITZBURGEN. WHEN IT WAS OUR TURN WE SAID THAT WE HAD ALSO CONTACTED THE QE2 AND THEY ARE NOW ON ROUTE TO SPITZBURGEN!! THIS WENT STRAIGHT OVER THE HEADS OF THE DUTY YACHT ALTHOUGH I SUPPOSE YOU CAN FORGIVE THEM AS IT WAS ONLY 07.00GMT.

KIND REGARDS NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 10-JUL-1997
Time 09:03:36

DAILY REPORT
YACHT COMMERCIAL UNION
DATA COMPILED AT 0800 HOURS ON THURSDAY 10 JULY 1997

GOING NOWHERE
There comes a time in each voyage when the wind begins to play tricks. This whimsical, natural engine that, with the mere shift of a low pressure or squeeze of an isobar, can change from skidding the boat towards Southampton at 10 knots to wafting it north, or south. Aimlessly.
Take yesterday. Seeing the frothy excitment of the CU crew at the impemding prospect of endless bottles of Mumm (and no other) champagne, warm shower-friendly hotel rooms and a gigantic global party with Zoe Ball (who she?), the wind decided to switch itself, and us, off. Not a puff or bluster for 12 hours. We became no more animate than the jelly fish floating around with the swirl of the current, or the flotsam and jetsam discarded from a North Atlantic tourist ferry. Drifting everywhichway.
Thus it is that the wind cheats our minds and tries to cauterise our emotions. A happy skipper and crew flipping along on the waves has to be reminded occasionally who the real boss is. After all it is the one chance that the puffed cherub's cheeks of the ancients has to compete against those new-fangled engines of the modern era (such as the one we are not allowed to use).
Trevor CU

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 9-JUL-1997
Time 09:24:27

TO RHQ      FM CU ASSURANCE

SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS YET AGAIN AS WE LOSE OUT TO SOME OF THE BOATS THAT ARE NOW TO THE NORTH OF US. WHAT A FRUSTRATING SPORT THIS IS WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE ELEMENTS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO PARTICULAR REASON ON THIS OCCASION WHY WE HAVE NOT PERFORMED AS WELL AS OTHER BOATS.

THE WILDLIFE HAS NOW DESERTED US APART FROM THE WIDE VARIETY ONBOARD AND THE SUN HAS ALSO DISAPPEARED THIS MORNING. PERHAPS THIS IS PREPARATION FOR OUR RETURN AND THE ONSLAUGHT OF A UK SUMMER.

WE LIVENED UP THE CHAT SHOW WITH DUTY YACHT OCEAN ROVER YESTERDAY BY DIGGING DEEP INTO OUR COLLECTION OF JOKES AND THIS SEEMED TO IMPROVE AN OTHERWISE DULL BROADCAST. I INFORMED OCEAN ROVER THAT IT WAS MICKEY MOUSES BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY AND SOMEBODY GAVE HIM A PAUL BENNETT WATCH! AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE QUALITY OF THE JOKES DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE IRISHMAN THAT DECIDED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. AS HE PUT THE GUN TO HIS HEAD HIS WIFE WALKED IN AND STARTED LAUGHING. HE THEN SAID I DONT KNOW WHAT YOURE LAUGHING AT YOURE NEXT!

KIND REGARDS NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 8-JUL-1997
Time 07:55:07

TO RHQ      FM CU ASSURANCE

WE HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT OVER THE LAST 48 HRS AND THIS HAS PAID OFF AS WE ARE CURRENTLY MOVING UP THROUGH THE FLEET. OUR PATIENCE WAS CERTAINLY TRIED AT TIMES AS WE CONTINUED TO LOSE OUT TO THE BOATS TO THE SOUTH OF US AND SUFFERED THE EFFECTS OF ADVERSE CURRENT. HOWEVER WE STUCK TO OUR GUNS AND HAVE BENEFITTED FROM OUR ABILITY TO SAIL THE BOAT WELL IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS. RICHARD HAS ALWAYS TOLD US THAT HE HAS EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE WAY WE SAIL THE BOAT AND IT MUST BE A MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY IN THAT WE HAVE THE SAME CONFIDENCE IN HIS RACE STRATEGY. ALL WE NOW NEED IS SOME LUCK SOMETHING THAT HAS DESERTED US SO FAR.

WE ARE KEEPING OURSELVES AMUSED BY THE NEW WAVE OF IRISH JOKES EG. HOW DO YOU KEEP AN IRISHMAN BUSY ALL DAY? - HAND HIM A PIECE OF PAPER WITH PTO WRITTEN ON BOTH SIDES. OR DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE IRISHMAN WHO DIED AT SEA 5 OF HIS FRIENDS ALSO DROWNED TRYING TO DIG IS GRAVE!

BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS AND SUNRISES REMIND US OF OUR TIME IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING THAT WE CAN SPEND MORE THAN 30 MINS ON DECK AT A TIME AND CAN ALSO EAT SLEEP AND GO TO THE LOO (NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER) AT A REASONABLE ANGLE AND WITH RELATIVE EASE.

KIND REGARDS NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 7-JUL-1997
Time 10:08:48

DAILY REPORT
YACHT COMMERCIAL UNION
DATA COMPILED AT 0800HRS GMT ON MONDAY 7 JULY 1997
THE FOGGY, FOGGY DEW
Skirting the Grand Banks off Newfoundland and the influence of the Labrador Current coming down from the north has brought us into the varying temperatures of air and sea which precipitate the infamous fogs of this area.
Darkness and dank fog compel the mind and fire the imagination. Drifting on the wind with the dew-sodden spinnaker merging into the grey darkness ahead, sights and sounds come alive. The foresails settled on the deck become the still shapes of old, oilskin-clad fishermen hunched over, looking out over the bow; dreaming of the bare warmth of the seaman's hostel ashore, living long memories of their fishing years on these very Grand Banks we now pass over; finalising their years in the cafes and polluted downtown streets of Southampton.
The screech of a loan bird, disturbed by our unwelcome path through its sleeping territory echos along the fog walls that surround the boat. Graceful arcs of dolphins meld from the mist, plunge under the boat. The ancient becomes present as the light of stars comes over the fog having travelled aeons of time, a vastness of space. Trevor

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 6-JUL-1997
Time 08:27:02

TO RHQ      FM CU ASSURANCE

WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING DENSE FOG OFF THE GRAND BANKS IN ICEBERG TERRITORY A VERY EERIE SITUATION THAT REMINDS US OF OUR TIME IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN IN ICEBERG TERRITORY WHEN OUR RADAR FAILED. AT LEAST WE HAVE OUR RADAR THIS TIME BUT MARGOT DOUGLAS DID VERY LITTLE TO REASSURE US WITH HER POINIENT REMARK THAT 'WE ARE NOT FAR FROM WHERE ANOTHER STEEL HULLED VESSEL THE TITANIC WAS STRUCK BY AN ICEBERG AND SANK'.

WE WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED YESTERDAY TO DISCOVER THAT WE HAD LOST OUT BIG TIME TO THE BOATS SOUTH OF US AND IN PARTICULAR G4 & 3 COM. OUR ORIGINAL STRATEGY WAS TO STAY NORTH TO PICK UP MORE FAVOURABLE WINDS AND WE WERE OF THE OPINION THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO TRAVEL TOO FAR SOUTH IN ORDER TO GAIN FROM FAVOURABLE CURRENT. WE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE GULF STREAM WERE ENJOYED FURTHER NORTH THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. HOWEVER WE ARE ALL STILL IN GOOD SPIRITS AND RELIEVED TO HAVE MADE THE WAY POINT WITHOUT THE NEED TO PUT A TACK IN AND IT WAS AN ADDED BONUS TO GYBE AROUND IT AHEAD OF SAVE WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY SHOT AWAY FROM US WITH THE BOATS TO THE SOUTH.

OUR WEATHER GIRL CLAIRE ALLPRESS HAD PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT IF WE DIDNT GO AROUND THE WAY POINT IN 1ST PLACE SHE WOULD SHAVE HER HEAD THIS SHE HAS NOW DONE AND QUITE HONESTLY IT IS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT!

AS WE HAVE NOW 'TURNED THE CORNER' AS IT WERE WE ARE DREAMING MORE THAN EVER OF THAT FIRST BEER ON HOME SOIL BUT WILL WE BE ABLE TO SETTLE DOWN AGAIN AFTER 10 MONTHS AWAY FROM A 'NORMAL WAY OF LIFE' WHATEVER THAT MAY BE.

KIND REGARDS NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 5-JUL-1997
Time 08:28:38

THE FOURTH OF JULY
Having sampled the New England culture in and aroungBoston, Friday was the day to experience American cuisine USA style. With Lars Hultgren as as chef in CU McDonalds and Bransom Bean as Aide-de- campe we tried marshmallow, jelly and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and hamburgers, hotdogs and Boston backed beans for dinner. Everyone seemed to enjoy this feast of fat and glucose and were even ready to salute the flag had Old Glory been produced. We now feel due hame has been paid the the old colony.
As if this was not enough excitment we are now entering iceberg region around waypoint alpha. With a wind on the nose, sea blowing up and visibility a couple of miles weare keeping our eyes skinned for those white cliffs of the icy kind.

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 4-JUL-1997
Time 08:08:55

I WILL SEND THIS REPORT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF IT BEING WIPED OFF THE SCREEN BEFORE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO WITNESS THE LESSON IN HUMAN BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS THAT PURSUED INVOLVING THE 2 PEOPLE CONCERNED!

IN THE WORDS OF OUR WEATHER GIRL CLAIRE ALLPRESS THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING WEATHER SCENARIOS SINCE THE START OF THE RACE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT THE CHANGES ACCURATELY HENCE THE WILD SWINGS IN FORTUNES BETWEEN THE BOATS. IN THE WORDS OF THE GREAT CARTOON CHARACTER PHILOSOPHER SNAGGLEPUSS 'EXIT STAGE LEFT EXIT STAGE RIGHT HEAVENS TO MURGATROID EVEN!'

WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING OUR 1ST REAL PEASOUPER SO RADAR WATCH BECOMES AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE DAILY ROUTINE AND I MUST SAY IT MAKES A CHANGE TO BE CONCERNED WITH THE POSITION OF OTHER VESSELS AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE CHALLENGE FLEET.

IT IS AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY TODAY AND OUR AMERICAN PROVISIONS MAN BRANSOM BEAN (WHO IS INCIDENTLY A VEGETARIAN!) HAS PLANED AN ALL AMERICAN LUNCH OF HAMBURGERS AND BAKED BEANS. UNFORTUNATELY THE HAMBURGERS ARE FREEZE DRIED SO NOTHING CHANGES. WE WILL BE KEEL HAULING HIM LATER AFTER THE BOSTON TEA PARTY!

KIND REGARDS NICK AUGER

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 3-JUL-1997

As there has been just about no wind for the past 2 days all the boats are coming together again so that we call all petty well shake hands acroos the sea. This has had the effect of making us think that the next 2,500 miles could take an awful long time and we will need to stretch out our food suppplies a little. Actually with a little ingenuity and tightening of belts there is not too much concern that the crew will come anywhere near starvation. The amount of gas and diesel on board gives some concern as this was designed to last for 17 days and dehydrated food powder doesn't takes too good without the necessary water and heat.

The early morning watch has been spent in contemplation of conservation. Conservation may in time become an oxymoron. Those birds and fish that we coo and aah at for the moment may become our greedy-eyed target for consumtion after weeks of drifting around the Atlantic Ocean. What a way to finish a race!

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 2-JUL-1997

WELL ITS A CHANGE TO BE BECALMED AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE DURING THE LEG LETS HOPE THIS IS THE 1ST AND LAST TIME.

DURING THE CHAT SHOW THIS MORNING PAUSE ASKED EACH BOAT HOW MANY OF THEIR CORE CREW ARE LEFT I BELIEVE WE ARE THE ONLY BOAT WITH THE FULL COMPLIMENT OF 12. THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE MORAL ONBOARD AND THE RESPECT THAT WE HAVE FOR THE SKIPPER.

WE ARE CURRENTLY WITHIN A GROUP OF BOATS AND THIS REMINDS ME OF A SONG BY STEELERS WHEEL - CLOWNS TO THE LEFT OF US JOKERS TO THE RIGHT AND HERE WE ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU. IN THIS CASE NUKE TO THE LEFT OF US 3 COM TO THE RIGHT AND HERE WE ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH G4!

SHARKS HAVE BEEN CIRCLING THE BOAT AT TIMES - DO THEY KNOW SOMETHING WE DONT PERHAPS WE WONT RETURN WITH OUR FULL COMPLIMENT OF CORE CREW AFTER ALL!

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 1-JUL-1997

After about 40 hours sailing out from Boston the fleet is still very much together with a 15-20 knot westerly pushing us gently eastwards towards Waypoint Alpha set to the south of the chain of icebergs drifting off the north end of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
Everyone aboard CU is finding his/her sealegs again after the stopover in Boston, many taking time to sightsee around Cape Cod or other parts of the New England coast. Pleasant it was to meet New Englanders aware of their history, and being reminded of the role of the British there over 200 years ago. Inevitably, contemporary Yankees draw parallels with the withdrawal from Hong Kong and many a friendly, if edgy, banter was enjoyed with the locals.
The charts of this region also remind one that American history has many versions. Whether is was the Native Americans, the Wandering Priest St. Brendan, Basque Fishermen, Breton adventurers, or Spanish and Italian explorers that first effectively settled this coast depends on the history one favours.

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 28-JUNE-1997

WONDERFUL SAILING - OVER THE LINE IN THE LEADING GROUP WITH THE PROMO SPIN FLYING HIGH - CU MUST HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD OF US.

ANOTHER SAD FAREWELL TO BOSTON THIS TIME GREAT MEMORIES OF A LOVELY PLACE. NEW ENGLAND CERTAINLY MIRRORS THE UK - LONDON PUBS CLASSY STREETS/SHOPS REMINDERS OF HIGH ST KENSINGTON.

WHALES AND A BASKING SHARK SPOTTED IN FACT WE ARE SO FAR NTH THAT WE CAN ALMOST SEE WALES.

ALL CREW ARE VERY KEYED UP IN THE SAME WAY AS WE WERE DURING THE START OF THE LAST LEG. THOUGHTS OF HOME ARE UPPERMOST IN OUR MINDS AND WE ALL FEEL THAT WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF DOING EXTREMELY WELL IN THIS SHORT SPRINT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. SOUTHAMPTON HERE WE COME!

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 26-MAR-1997

ROUNDING THE WAYPOINT

ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY

TO BE ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

ONCE ROUND, THE CHOICE OF COURSES TO CAPETOWN IS THREE

WATCH AND SEE.....

SID'S UP.

TBY

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 22-MAR-1997

WE COULD ONLY FEEL BETTER IF WE WERE SURE WE'D BEEN THROUGH THE LAST OF THEM BUT WITH SOMETHING LIKE TWO AND ONE HALF WEEKS TO GO TO CAPE TOWN AND NO PLACE TO HIDE WE'RE SURE THE SOUTHERN OCEAN IS NOT THROUGH WITH US YET.

FOR NOW 15 KNOT BREEZES FEEL LIKE A FLAT CALM AFTER COMING TO THINK OF 40 KNOTS AS TRANQUILITY.

LAST NITE BECAUSE WE WERE ONE OF THE MORE NORTHERLY BOATS CU WAS SPARED THE WORST OF YET ANOTHER BLOW WHICH DEALT PAUSE TO REMEMBER OVER 60 KNOTS.

EARLY IN THE MORNING THE WIND BEGAN TO EASE AND BACK SO THAT WE ARE NOW SAILING ON A STARBOARD TACK HEADED RIGHT DOWN THE GREAT CIRCLE BEARING TO THE KERGUELEN ISLANDS. SADLY, ONCE WE GET THERE WE'LL BE HEADING SOUTH AGAIN.

SAILING LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE GIVES US A CHANCE TO REGROUP, PICK UP THE MESS AND TRY TO DRY OUT THE BOAT.

THE JURY RIG ON THE HELM SEEMS TO BE HOLDING WELL BUT WE ALL WONDER IF IT WILL SURVIVE ANOTHER BIG BLOW.

ALL THE CALMER WEATHER IN THE WORLD WON'T FIND MORE WINCH HANDLES TO SUPPLANT THE THREE REMAINING OF THE ORIGINAL 8. THE DARKENED RADAR SCREEN SERVES NOW AS A POSTER BOARD WHERE THE WEATHER FAX SCHEDULE IS TAPED. FALLING OVER THE SIDE IS AN EVEN MORE DIRE PROSPECT AS THERE ARE NOW NO DANBOUYS, HORSE SHOPES OR MAN OVER BOARD LIGHTS ON BOARD.

WITH THE EPIRB MILESN BEHIND US IT'S DOWN TO THE CAPSAT IF WE NEED TO SIGNAL DISTRESS. BUT THE 'NOT UP TO IT' BRACKET HOLDING THE CAPSAT ANTENNA OF COURSE IS BROKEN AND HELD TOGETHER WITH WOODEN SLATS AND CABLE TIES.

CLARE IS STICHING A HOLE IN THE MAIN WHERE THE FLOGGING OF THE FULLY REEFED SAIL ATE THROUGH THE FABRIC.

SPINNAKER REPAIRS HAVE RESUMED, AS MUCH TO WILL THE BETTER WEATHER IN WHICH THESE SAILS ARE FLOWN AS TO BE READY FOR WHEN IT WILL BE NEEDED.

THE BEST NEWS IS THAT AS THIS IS WRITTEN SID IS UP, SITTING AT THE CHART TABLE STUDYING THE RACE RESULTS.

OH, TO SEE TABLE MOUNTAIN ON THE HORIZON.

TBY

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 20-MAR-1997

IT WAS THE LAST WAVE OF THE STORM THAT DID IT. IT'S POSSIBLE WE'D SAILED THOUGH BIGGER SEAS THAN THIS ONE BUT THIS WAS THE ONE THAT HAD OUR NAME ON IT.

WE COME TO BE A BIT SUSPICIOUS WHEN THE MET OFFICE AT BRACKNALL SAYS WINDS OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS.

OF COURSE HIGH WINDS ARE RELATIVE. MAYBE MORE SO WHEN YOU'RE THOUSAND'S OF MILE AWAY.

RICHARD SAYS THAT ONCE THE WIND IS BLOWING OVER 50 KNOTS IT'S ALL THE SAME ANYWAY.

THE FORECAST FOR THIS LITTLE LOW WAS 35 TO 40 KNOTS.

SO WE SHOULD NOT HAE BEEN SURPRISED THAT THE WINDS HAD BEEN BOUNCING OFF 70 KNOTS ALL NIGHT. STEERING WAS INCREDIBLE. AS 40 TONS OF CHALLENGE YACHT PITCHED AND YAWED AT 8 TO 9 KNOTS THE ICEY SPRAY LASHING THROUGH THE DARKNESS FELT LIKE TINY RAZORS. KEEPING ON COURSE MEANT KEEPING THE BOW POINTED BETWEEN 270 DEGREES AND 310.

IT WAS WORST FOR THE LOOKOUTS. THE HELM KEPT THEIR HEADS DOWN TO SEE THE COMPASS. THE LOOKOUTS HAD TO TRY TO FOCUS INTO THE SPRAY. THERE ARE ICEBERGS ABOUT. WITH NO RADAR THE LOOKOUT IS VITAL.

AFTER 10 HOURS OF THIS AND TWO WATCH CHANGES THE WIND WAS QUIETING DOWN TO A RELATIVELY 50 KNOTS WHEN THAT WAVE HIT. SO STEEP THE FACE OF THIS WAVE THAT THE BOW DID NOT HAVE TIME TO RISE INTO IT. SO HALF OF IT JUST MARCHED DOWN THE DECK. THREE OR FOUR FEET OF SOLID WATER SWEEPING ACROSS THE DECK.

FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE MINUTES THE COCKPIT CREW HELD THEIR BREATH. WHEN THE FREEZING WATER WAS GONE THEY WERE PLEASED THAT EVERY ONE WAS STILL ON DECK, NOT SWEPT OVER THE SIDE.

BUT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE ENTIRE FRAME AND 8 INCH DIAMETER BINNACLE COLUMN WAS BENT BACK AT AN ANGLE OF 0 DEGREES.

THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD THE STEERING WAS LOCKED AMIDSHIPS, STRAIGHT AHEAD. SO WHILE THE WATCH STRUGGLED WITH SPINNAKER SHEETS AND WINCHES THE YACHT RACED ON THOUGH THE NIGHT, ALMOST ON COURSE.

DAYLIGHT REVEALED THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. WHEEL WARPED LIKE A LOST HUB CAP ON THE M25. WELDS IN THE FRAME BROKEN. THE STEERING COMPASS WIPED FROM ITS FRAME. EVEN THE SLIDING FIBERGLASS COAMING OVER THE COMPANIONWAY LADDER IS CRCKED.

WE'RE SAILING AGAIN NOW. ALAN HAS BEEN BUSY WITH MORE WINCHING AND ROPE. THE STEERING STATION LOOKS A BIT LIKE SPAGHETTI JUNCTION BUT IT'S PROBABLY STRONGER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.

IT HAD BETTER BE. WE'VE OVER 3500 MILES TO GO AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE LITTLE GALES DUE THROUGH HERE IN 10 OR SO HOURS.

HERE WE GO AGAIN.

TBY

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 18-MAR-1997

SOME OF US BELIEVE THERE ARE GREMLINS ABOUT THE BOAT.

NOT STOPPING WITH THE RADAR TWO DAYS AGO THEY SHUT OFF MY WATCH YESTERDAY. NEITHER WILL RUN AGAIN UNTIL CAPETOWN.

STILL NOT CONTENT AS THIS MORNING'S GALE HIT INTERMITTENT RED LIGHTS ON THE GPS, BECAME MORE FREQUENT RED LIGHTS, BECAME ALARMS, BECAME SHUT DOWN DUE TO A SHORTED ANTENNA.

THE THEORY IS IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE HANDY ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS THAT JUST DON'T STAND UP TO WET, CONDENSATION AND SALT WATER WHICH OF COURSE ONE WOULD NEVER EXPECT AT SEA. PROBABLY THE OFFENDING CONNECTION IS NEAR THE SPLINTS, BALING WIRE AND DUCT TAPE HOLDING THE FRAME SUPPORTING THE GPS, VHF AND CAPSAT ANTENNAE.

THE ELECTRONIC BAROMETER IS ALSO ON THE FRITZ AS OF ONE HOUR AGO.

WE'RE NOT WORRIED, IAN'S ON IT WITH HIS TWEEKING SCREW DRIVERS AND VOLT METERS. THE GREMLINS ARE WORRIED WITH IAN ON THE JOB.

WELL, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS NEVER HAD GPS, CAPSAT, VHF OR AN ELECTRONIC BAROMETER AND LOOK HOW WELL HE DID.

COLUMBUS DIDN'T HAVE AN EPIRB EITHER AND AS OF THIS MORNING NEITHER DO WE.

AFTER IT'S PLUNGE INTO THE SEA THIS MORNING AFTER BREAKING FREE FROM ITS CASE DURING THE GALE THE RESULTING AUTOMATIC DISTRESS TRANSMISSIONS MOST REGRETTABLY GAVE THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SERVICES AND THE OTHER BOATS IN THE FLEET SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR A WHILE.

HAVING NO RADAR WITH THE FOG WE'RE EXPERIENCING MEANS WE ARE KEEPING AN EXTRA SPECIAL ICEBERG LOOKOUT AT THE SHROUDS. LOW VISIBILITY WAS A MUCH BIGGER WORRY IN THE GALE AND LOW VISIBILITY THIS MORNING THAN IN THE CALMER WINDS WE HAVE NOW.

OTHER WISE ALL IS PEACHY ABOARD CU. AFTER ALL, THERE'S ONLY 4000 MILES MORE TO GO.

...AND IT'S NICKS SPECIAL BEEF CURRY FOR DINNER.

LIFE IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN GOES ON.

TBY

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 17-MAR-1997

We thought it prudent to advise you that at 0300GMT we spotted a small iceberg approx position 52 57 S 110 17 E. Other than that we have had an enjoyable mornings sail. Regards Nick Auger

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 16-MAR-1997

AS THE POST GALE CLEAN UP NEARS AN END, WILL WE EVER GET ALL THE BREAD MIX OUT OF THE COMPUTER CABINET?, REPAIRS ARE BARELY KEEPING UP WITH THE ELECTRONIC GREMLINS HAVING THEIR WAY WITH US.

THE ABLE TEAM OF IAN AND ALAN SCURRY ABOUT THE BOAT VOLT METER AND TWEEKING SCREW DRIVERS IN HAND AS WE CONTINUE TO WONDER HOW GEAR THAT HAS TROUBLE WITH CONDENSATION AND SALT WATER CAN BE CALLED 'MARINE' EQUIPMENT. THAT'S MARKETING.

NEIL AND IAN'S EFFORTS ALOFT HAVE THE HI TECH PLASTIC ARROW ON A STICK WINDDEX, BACK IN ACTION SO WHO NEEDS THOSE BLACK BOXES?.

A NEW BULB HAS THE MAST HEAD LIGHT SHINING BRIGHTLY AGAIN.

ALAN AND IAN SPENT THE AFTERNOON WITH ALWAYS BIGGER HAMMERS TRYING TO REMOVE SRCEWS HOLDING THE MALFUNCTIONING FLUX GATE COMPASS' COVER TO THE MAST. AS USUAL CORROSION ALMOST TRIUMPHED BUT THEY GAINED ACCESS ONLY TO FIND THE 'SEALED UNIT' HAD A VERY CORRODED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. IT'S NOW WORKING, SORT OF, WHICH IS NICE BECAUSE AT THESE SOUTHERLY LATITUDES THE MAGNETIC COMPASS ISN'T WORKING SO WELL.

THE PRINTER MAY BE A WRITE OFF BUT WITH THE DICOVERY OF THE MISSING PIECE OF PLASTIC, THANK HEAVENS WE DON'T THROW THE PLASTIC TRASH OVER THE SIDE EVEN IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, THE TAPE PLAYER IS MELODIOUS AGAIN.

WOODEN SPLINTS (finest fench oak of course - none of that cheap yank stuff), DUCT TAPE, AND BALING WIRE (SADLY WE HAVE NO BUBBLE GUM) ARE HOLDING THE FIBERGLASS ARM BEHIND THE RADAR THAT HOLDS OUR GPS, VHF AND INMARSAT ANTENNAE.

BUT THE RADAR IS ANOTHER STORY.

REGRETTABLY ALL IANS HORSES AND ALL ALANS MEN CAN'T GET THE RAYTHEON WORKING AGAIN.

WHICH BRINGS US TO SHARP NIGHT TIME EYESIGHT AND ICEBERG SPOTTING HELP FROM THE OTHER BOATS IN THE FLEET WHO HAVE BEEN JUST FANTASTIC.

WITH RADAR SIGHTED BOATS RUNNING INTERFERENCE FOR US ON THE FRONT WE ARE ALMOST GLAD NOT TO BE LEADING WITH THIS ICE AROUND.

IN FACT WE SIGHTED OUR FIRST TWO BERGS ON THE SOUTHERN HORIZON THIS AFTERNOON AT 0530Z. IF ANYONE, ESPECIALLY THE LOOKOUTS, WERE IN DOUBT THAT ICE WAS OUT THERE WE'VE GOT THAT CLEARED UP.

IN THE MOMENT WE ARE SAILING UNDER THE HEAVY SPINNAKER IN AN IRONIC HIGH WITH GENTLE BREEZES AND SUN, SOMETIMES, AND A VERY HELPFUL CURRENT. OF COORSE THE WEATHER FAX SAYS IT WON'T LAST.

BUT THAT'S THE SOUTHERN OCEAN.

TBY

Yacht Commercial Union Assurance
Date 14-MAR-1997

WAS IT CHAY BLYTH WHO SAID THERE ARE NO ATHEISTS AT SEA? WELL MAYBE BUT THERE ARE ONE OR TWO ABOARD CU THIS MORNING WHO ARE A LITTLE CLOSER TO THEIR MAKER.

DURING THE NITE CONDITIONS DETERIORATED TO CULMINATE IN 70 KNOT WINDS AND A KNOCK DOWN

AT 0130 LOCAL ALL HANDS WERE CALLED OUT AS THE TRYSAIL HAD BLOWN OUT OF ITS TRACK. THAT SAIL HANDED, IN VIEW OF THE HIGH WINDS THE MAINSAIL WAS NOT HOISTED

THE DECK WAS SWEPT BY LARGE SEAS DURING THE REST OF A VERY COLD AND WINDY NITE WHEN SOMETIME THE DANBOUY AND LITE WERE LOST.

THIS MORNING AT 0915 THE VESSEL WAS KNOCKED DOWN CAUSING TOTAL HAVOC IN THE GALLEY AND DISLODGING PLASTIC BOXES CONTAINING FOOD

15 MINUTES LATER THE SHEET ON THE NUMBER THREE YANKEE PARTED FOLLOWED BY SPECTACULAR FLOGGING UNTIL THAT SAIL COULD BE HANDED AND THE SHEET REPLACED AND THE SAIL HOISTED AGAIN

CLEANUP OF THE BOAT CONTINUES AS THE COMPUTER CABINET IS COVERED IN FLOUR, REFRESH POWDER, APPLE FLAKES, SULTAANAS COFFE AND HOT CHOCOLATE - MIRACULOUSLY AS YOU CAN SEE IT STILL WORKS

THE WINDS HAVE ABATED TO 40 TO 50 KNOTS WHICH I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD THINK WAS CALM - BUT A LOT OF US DO AFTER THE LAST 18 HOURS.

TBY

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