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Please ensure that your questions can be posed to all crew |
| Message In extreme conditions, what tactics can and are used to improve safety and reduce risk of roll over ? Ron Rimku |
Response Thank you for your question Ron. There are various ways to reduce the risk of roll over in rough conditions. The main one is to reduce sail area as the wind picks up to keep the yacht more upright. You could sail off the wind so that you are not subject to the full force of the conditions. There are standard wind ranges for all sails. The trick is when to sail conservatively and when to push on. The winner of any race will get the decision right more often than not, riding their luck to the limit and sometimes beyond. However, with safety being first priority in the BT Global Challenge and with so many miles to do, the reduction in sail area by either changing sails and/or putting reefs in the mainsail is the first option, most of the time. Robin Haynes |
| Message To Group 4 : Congratulations on coming home. We watched with envy. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I think I would. Fellow sailor Mick Stormont, UK | |
| Message To skipper and crew of 3Com : Have followed your progress on a daily basis since having the pleasure of going on board 3Com in Sydney. Congratulations to Kieron O'Connell and other crew on a magnificent effort. Allen Bain, | |
| Message Some are born to greatness, others have to sail around the world for it, well done. Hopefully one day I will be great too. Jack | |
| Message To Save the Children, Welcome home and well done on completing this fantastic voyage. Neal Unitt-Jones, UK | |
| Message Please pass my warmest congratulations to all on Time & Tide. As a literally single-handed sailor myself, I am firmly of the opinion that we can do anything we set our minds to. Shaun Smith | |
| Message To all the crew of Concert. Glad you made it back despite your earlier problems. Roy Arnold | |
| Message Hi Crew, it's Ron Pearson here finally made it back to the UK without a scratch. What date do you think you will arrive back in Southampton so that I can meet you there. Have the grusome twosome John & Duncan sobered up yet and did they managed to get back into Ayres Rock after Simon's entertainment. Ron Pearson | |
| Message Greetings All on Board, from New Zealand! Hope that John Dobbin has his sea legs by now! We're thinking of you. Mac McGarry & Family. | |
| Message To Ocean Rover Crew: Got back to blighty in one piece. Good luck withthe next few weeks, and in the meantime I promise to keep you up to date with the Lions and Test Match scores (Australia currently 14 for 1 - sorry Lyn and Tony!) Take care and stay fast, All the best Branwen. Branwen Jones. | |
| Message This is the message: To Andy Hindley, Kev Johnson and all "THE KIDS" Great to see that you are in the lead, our 'virtual race yacht' has not been so successful, we have just run aground again!! we have been too busy working and watching your progress on-line, the 'Boss' retired us from the race last night in style. We are avid "Save The Children" fans and the W.W.W. has been our life line for Challenge news. We all wish you a 'painless' and fast leg home. Good Luck and Fast Sailing. The staff of the Intensive Care Unit, | |
| Message Hi Mary, Mervyn and the rest of the Global Teamwork crew. We wish you all the best for the rest of the race - keep on sailing by those other yachts!! From all your friends and colleagues at Ericsson. | |
| Message To Andy Girling and all the Group 4 crew and support team: Thanks for a great weekend in Boston and best wishes for a safe and victorious finish, from Isobelle, John, Ben and Charlotte Surface. Andy, Ben sends special thanks for the Dinosaur book, the whale watching, & the chocolate milk for breakfast at the Marriott! John Surface. | |
| Message Good Luck Concert! We are a family from New Jersey who was eating breakfast Sunday morning in Boston at the same restaurant. My father said hello, and if you're still wondering, the race wasn't the only thing that brought us to Boston but it certainly was a highlight. Kevin Joyce, Student, | |
| Message Good Luck to Global Teamwork. My wife sat next to a man and woman on a flight from London to Cape Town on April 25 - 26. They were joining the crew for leg 5. I feel that we have a personal interest in the progress of Global Teamwork and now that we are back home in the Los Angeles area I'll be logging-on every day
Bob Hunt | |
| Message To Skipper and Crew of Commercial Union : Top 5 finish Boston-Southampton earns you a navigator's pencil! And a message just for Neil Eatough: Why only 7th - have you been following the "Rum"-line?! Best Wishes ! Frank & Janice Lee | |
| Message A SPECIAL HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO FRANK BARRETT ON BOARD "PAUSE TO REMEMBER" FROM ALL THE STAFF AND PUPILS OF ST. ELIZABETH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HAMILTON, AND ESPECIALLY FROM BIG SISTER MARGARET! Joanne Droy | |
| Message To Global Teamwork - My class have been following your adventures since the start in September. I attended the start at Southampton on your corporate boat. We are fortunate to have as a parent the Designer of the winning trophy for each leg and the skippers trophy. We have THE PROTOTYPE in the classroom at the moment- Is it too early to put your name on it?? Joanna Lee | |
| Message Posting from Cape Cod MA. to Time & Tide crew....I've been watching you online since New Zealand....and cheering for you all along the way. You are an inspiration to all individuals who follow their dreams despite disabilities. GO GO GO! Judy Sherman | |
| Message Message to OCEAN ROVER : Have been following you all the way and it has been enjoyable to see such determination and great racing. Everyone at Rover Group will be proud. I hope everyone is well and that good speed is with you all the way to Boston....and then on to Southampton. Rachel - I hope you are having the time of your life! Richard Price | |
| Message At long last you have all set sail - now we can concentrate on some serious " net surfing " !! Congratulations to all boats for getting to Capetown safe and well. Special congratulations to Group 4 and Concert, but special congratulations to Toshiba Wave Warrior !!! Keep it up guys ! We look forward to following the race over this next leg to Boston . Happy and safe sailing. Simon and crew - go show them how its done !! Good luck. Justine & Peter Lois | |
| Message To all on board Global Teamwork. We are all following your tremendous efforts and are delighted that you are doing so well. Keep up the good work ! Jane Telfer | |
| Message Julia Bishop ... you came and spoke to us in September. We all wish you luck. Stay safe. Come and talk to us later again please. I have just come out of hospital for my kidney has been poorly but it is getting better now. We hope you win. Mind out for the sharks. Liam Stiles, aged 8 1/2, | |
| Message Message to all on CONCERT - Good luck and Good speed to Boston - this one's GOT to be yours !! See you in Southampton. Louise and Diane Jackson | |
| Message To all crew on board Time & Tide - Good luck and go fast, make sure the Bandit doesn't sleep through his watches. Ed Typhoon | |
| Message Do the Race crews feel that the limitations of the waypoint set up by the organisers on leg four, apparently to ensure that they do not go too far south and hit ice, is fair in that they took the decision of which course to take, out of your hands ? Weather would surely have permitted going further south at this time of year . Peter Walsh |
Response No ill feelings about the waypoint as all yachts had to go around this point and thus was fair, leaving it out could have caused many problems due to the competitive nature of the crews involved, expecting to go well into iceberg territory. As it was many yachts came close to icebergs, although we seemed to miss out on this experience.
Malcolm Thornley |
| Message Dear Skipper and crew of Heath Insured II, we live in Huron County, Canada. I have adopted your boat as part of the Race. This is a school assignment. Are you crowded on the yacht ? What has the weather been like ? Alan Hyde |
Response On the boat we work in a watch system which means there are 6 people on duty at a time, the rest are usually asleep except for the Skipper and mate who float, therefore the boat doesn’t seem crowded except at watch changes when we are all trying to eat and get into our kit, this is worse in the Southern Ocean as there is more to put on. Weather - on this leg the weather has been fairly horrendous with winds up to 50 knots, stormy seas and cold, we are just having a small respite as the wind has dropped to 20 knots .
Sally |
| Message Global teamwork c/o Merfyn Owen Merfyn, Thank you, Elaine and Lucas for a brilliant day out last September. It was both informative and enjoyable and I have been an avid race follower and Global Teamwork fan ever since. During that day there was a problem with the mast on Global Teamwork being " twisted ", Lucas spent most of the day adjusting it . Could it have been a similar problem that contributed to the dismasting of Concert and subsequently one of the issues raised about the yacht design by Time & Tide ? God speed ..... Michael Prynn |
Response Masts do not become " twisted ". If the rigging is badly set up it can push the rig out of column. Prior to the start of the Race all the rigs were professionally adjusted, so that the set up would be identical. There is no definitive reason yet for Concert’s rig failure. It is thought to have been caused by the failure of the starboard 12mm Intermediate shroud ( or D3 ) toggle fastening. The testing of failed rigging is continuing .
Tim Petitt |
| Message Are any of you feeling homesick? What has been your biggest challenge yet and who do you feel is the toughest competition ? Hannah Elstone |
Response All of the Group 4 crew were looking forward to reaching Cape Town and seeing or at least speaking to loved ones . Leg 4 was an extremely tough leg - most would go as far as saying it was horrendous . In such conditions there were many times when we all wished we could be back at home - warm, dry and safe - sharing normal daily life with our families and friends. Our biggest challenge yet was no doubt the Southern Ocean. The ferocity of the storms we encountered, the uncomfortable conditions, the terrifying moments when life flashed before us are all behind us now . Thankfully we have now completed both of the Southern Ocean legs and can relax a little and enjoy the rest of the race. Our toughest competition in terms of the overall race is Toshiba Wave Warrior. With only 22hr and 15 mins between us, this race is very, very close. We know that one small mistake could easily wipe out that narrow margin and we are all aware that the pressure is on us to perform on this next leg. We also consider Concert to be a very big rival in terms of each of the remaining legs. Since they were put out of the overall race, they have become even more determined to go for leg wins. They have already shown us that they are a force to be reckoned with and we are watching them !
Mike Golding |
| Message Congratulations to you all on safely completing Leg 4! Reading your daily reports made it seem as though I was there somehow, cheering you all on as you climbed the side of one swell only to crash down into the next trough, through each little victory and every near disaster. Well done!
David Holmes, aground in Montreal, Canada | |
| Message Congratulations Group 4 - Grant, Mike and the rest of the crew. We saw it all on the internet, Nailbiting!! Hope your land legs are coming back - Party Hard and Well Done. Was great meeting you all. See you soon Grant. Mum & Dad.
Lynda & Alan Winfield, Wellington New Zealand. | |
| Message I have followed your progress for nearly five weeks and as a non yachtie(?!) Can't think of an appropriate question to ask. But really want to say I think you are all amazing, and how on earth are you going to cope with life off the Southern Ocean? It's pretty boring back here ! Good luck to you all, a special hello to my friend Robo on Courtaulds Int. Freo is not the same without you.
With cheers, hoorays and admiration from Caroline Vardy in Fremantle, Western Australia. | |
| Message Your friends in Wellington are watching your progress daily - with some concern around the middle of March! Christopher Columbus didn't have icebergs to contend with! Best wishes for the balance of this leg.
Commercial Union. | |
| Message Tom O'Connor, Skipper of 'Pause'. Tom in your opinion what makes your crew stand out from the rest? It must have been very difficult for you and your gang to deal with the gear failure during this leg especially when it was going so well in your first week out of Sydney .. ...I think what you guys are doing is just fantastic - a heros welcome awaits you at home on your return, and I have no doubt that a few Pints of Uncle Arthur will be lowered in the DMYC ... Can you remember what is tastes like ?!!!!
Celly O'Brien - AIB Sailing Club and National Yacht Club | |
| Message To all of you on Group 4. You fought a hard race. We enjoyed it enormously. Congratulations on such fantastic team work. Best wishes for the rest of the race.
Anne, David, Alexander and Robert (Hopkins) | |
| Message Way to go Group 4. We have been following your progress from a comfortable chair in Mission, British Columbia, Canada.
Peter Robson. | |
| Message To David Jones on Group 4 ... hope the trip was a good one. We are in Cornwall at present contacting you from BT Goonhilly Earth Station ... amazing. Best wishes to Holly!
Ian and Andree, Jenny, Sophie and Alexander. | |
| Message How much training did you receive from BTC? What is the general experience level of crew, and how do things work out for novices ? Is the skipper the only professional crew? I've signed up for BTC 2000, look forward to meeting you in Boston at my interview with Chay! Will be happy to pass on phone calls to non-computer persons (are there still such things ?) in USA for BTC crew. Walt Darren |
Response The main body of Crew Volunteers who were taken on in September 1993 received 3 years of periodic training, with the emphasis being that no previous sailing experience was necessary. After training on the Challenge yacht to get a good grounding of the basics of sailing, safety and yacht maintenance were practised until the year of the Race. The Volunteers are then assigned to their yachts to develop as a racing team, at the beginning of 1996. All the Volunteers are competent sailors by start day. The skippers are the only professional crew on board, each one working with their allocated crew to create what they hope will be a winning formula, not only in the racing sense but as a group of like- minded people developing through experience as the Global Challenge progresses. Good luck with your application !
Robin Haynes |
| Message What communications are made to families of crew in order to keep then well informed? Karen Pilkington |
Response The best communications have been via the Internet, Fax and Recorder reports, helping to bring the Race alive for everyone on dry land. The next best thing is word of mouth. The yacht families that have sprung up as a result of the Race, all talk to each other to share news, experiences, feedback from stopovers and regularly get together to talk about events. All of the yachts are equipped with VHF radio and SAT-mail with which to keep in touch with home via Portishead whilst at sea. When in port, Concert have supplied everyone with Phonecards to call home via US-based operators, a great way of keeping in touch, especially for those circumnavigating the who have not seen their loved ones for some time. Some yacht crews write magazines whilst at sea to relay events as they happen and then Email the mag to shore via a designated mailbox, which is sent to families and friends. Some yachts have been selling postcards before leaving each stopover with the promise of sending them back to Race followers when arriving in the next port of call. A nice idea and a good fund raiser. The phrase "you are not alone" is never more true and never more important to both crews and supporters involved in the race.
Robin Haynes |
| Message How did the crew members get selected for the Race ? Are representatives of the different organisations on board the yachts ? If so, are they representatives of all employees within the company ? I would like to write a management dissertation on organisations unusual team building techniques and courses and their success/failure when back in the work place. Julie Haigh |
Response Great question Julie. For those circumnavigating the globe the experience began with an application in writing to the Challenge Business detailing why they wanted to take part in the BT Global Challenge supplying a general background, CV, and brief outline of their sailing experience. Following a paper sift, the lucky applicants were then interviewed by Chay Blyth who made the final decision as to who would go on the Challenge, the emphasis being on the amateur status of the crews i.e. level of sailing experience and balancing out the crews between the yachts. The " leggers " come from the major sponsors on each yacht, each company inviting employees to apply to take part in one leg of the Race. In my own experience, I wrote 3 short essays detailing why me, why BT should send me and how I would raise money for Save the Children. 3,000 people applied with 180 being shortlisted for interview. Chay Blyth interviewed the lucky applicants and the successful few got to go.
Robin Haynes |
| Message Hi there all, Hope the weather is not too bad. How much sleep do you manage on ? And how do you manage to cope with sea-sickness, as that must be something of a problem ? Well, I hope you all have a safe trip without too many problems under way. We are all watching the race from here in the office. The Danish Yacht club sends their best regards to all of you out there. Jack Nielsen |
Response Hello Jack. Sleep is an emotive subject. You get as much as you can whilst off watch, jobs, diary keeping and sail changes allowing. The sleep you get, if you can nod off, is quality rest because you are so tired from being on deck. Whilst on watch you are on the go all the time, trimming, changing sails, adjusting settings, watching the elements for signs of change, grinding on the winches ... the list is endless. Sea sickness can strike anyone at anytime if you are unfortunate to suffer from it. Some are sick in rough conditions, some when it's calm and the boats wallow about with nowhere to go, and some due to physical exhaustion. The best way to combat it is to stay positive, eat food, keep your eyes on the horizon and keep going. Once the brain is happy with what is going on, the stomach normally follows.
Robin Haynes |
| Message Hello Yachters, Our class is following your race and will be watching you cross the finish line. I was just wondering what it is like to wake up every morning to the smell of the sea ? Is it boring or do you find it exciting ? Our class wishes you good luck. May the best yacht win. David and friends |
Response Thank you for your best wishes. We operate a watch system on board Concert, which is changed to account for the weather conditions. This means that every 4 to 6 hours, in general, you are called from below to go " on watch ", which can be the morning, the early evening or the middle of the night. If you are lucky enough to get a full six hours sleep then the smell of the sea is a very pleasant way of waking, and combined with the sound of the ocean rushing passed you about a foot away from your bunk is a beautiful way to get up. On the other hand, having a torch shoved in your face in the middle of the night, to be told that it's time to change sails and it's pouring with rain holds an exhilaration of it's own! Hope you enjoyed the finish to the 4th leg!
Robin Haynes |
| Message (In Portugese) Estou maravilhado com esta aventura e principalmente com a organizacao, no acompanhamente da regata On-line. Um abraco e bons ventos a todos.
(In English) A hug and good winds to everybody.
Guilherme Bernard | |
| Message I'm sure that all competing yachts are racing to win, however, how much energy is put into gaining maximum performance from each boat i.e. Does each shift spend time up on the gunwale, are sails constantly trimmed and are wind patterns exploited etc.? Howard Spry |
Response Thank you for your question Howard. Every yacht crew will no doubt tell you that they are racing hard all the time and putting everything into their racing. Which is the case. Each watch on each boat will be constantly trimming, watching and interpreting weather faxes, making adjustments to course to make the best of the ever changing weather patterns, as minor changes can make big differences over a long journey. Get the combinations right and your in the lead, get them even slightly wrong and you slip down the pack.
Robin Haynes |
| Message Although the race is set against the prevailing winds, you must spend some time reaching. How much of your time is spent with the kite up? How many people does it take to launch the kite, trim the kite and drop the kite? Do you fly the kite by following the wind with the helm, or do you continually trim the kite and follow the wind, waves and course? How responsive are the boats when sailing down wind? Do they broach easily? Do they accelerate quickly?
John Harwood |
Response The yachts race for 60% of the time against the wind which allows the race to be described as being against the prevailing winds. The majority of the first leg and some of the third leg has seen spinnaker reaching. Launching the kite can take all of the "on watch" plus the two on "care watch" depending on conditions, to carry out quickly and safely. The way we operate is with two on the foredeck to set up the sheets and guys and to make sure the kite inflates properly, two at the mast to raise the kite and one drop the sail coming down. The cockpit generally has two crew on the winches and one at the helm to bear away whilst the kite is going up. Trimming takes two, one winding the other flying the kite. For a good drop all available hands are called on deck to drop, gather and bag, whilst the next one goes up. For maximum speed the kite is constantly trimmed and is peeled when the maximum wind speeds for each kite are reached. Being a sailor you will no doubt appreciate the boats are less responsive when down wind and subtle changes in trim, wind angle, course etc. can make a big difference with speeds changing very quickly. Broaching is an ever present danger especially with a good swell running and a forty-two tonne yacht acting like a gigantic surfboard! It then becomes a case of he who dares ……!
Robin Haynes |
| Message What sort of feelings do you have when you start each leg, and also when you finish?
Nick Darley |
Response Both ends of a leg are a mixed bag of emotions. At the start you are sad at leaving your family, friends and loved ones behind. This is soon overtaken by the excitement of the occasion and the determination to get ahead of the fleet by having a good start. At the finish of a leg, especially if you win, everyone feels really happy at having completed a leg and done so well and joyful at the thought of being able to get some proper sleep. If you are one of the leggers and you're going home, you also feel sad at leaving your crew members behind, but happy that you are going to be with your family again.
Robin Haynes |
| Message How do you keep focused on this long range goal? What motivational edge do you use to keep team spirit at it's peak? Also, this is to let you know that the MCI East Data Applications Support Group in the USA send their encouragement's to skippers and crew! Good show! Keith Howard |
Response It's the middle of the night, 30 knots of wind, kite up, going like a train. Two boats lights can be seen astern and Group 4 only a few miles in front - what more do you need to focus on? Got to dash, keenly awaiting next update of positions. Chris Tibbs Skipper of Concert (please note: question sent and message received 01:00hrs local time Saturday 15th February during very close racing) |
Message What's the best thing about being thousands of miles away from anywhere?
Ian Craigie |
Response Hi Ian. A good question which certainly gets close to the truth about why I like offshore sailing. When you are thousands of miles away from civilisation it is a strange feeling. You can get very close to nature and experience the wonderful unspoilt delights of nature such as the huge blue and green waves of the oceans, the marine life such as whales, dolphins and bird life. The weather is also constantly changing adding an unknown element to each day. Sometimes it can be sunny with blue skies and other times it can be horrible with very strong winds, big seas and heavy rain, snow or ice. We also have no distractions like TV and radio which is nice for a change and we have to solve all our own little problems which makes it very challenging and rewarding. However, after a long spell at sea it is nice to go home and experience all the delights of life ashore such as a warm cosy bed, a shower, a night out or a sleep on a Sunday morning. Good luck with your sailing career and maybe you too will have a chance to experience the delights of offshore sailing before too long as well.
Tom O'Connor |
Message How do you cope with domestic disputes on board, or is everyone too tired to argue about the bathroom, kitchen (galley) etc.?
Mark Cranston |
Response On Motorola this doesn't seem to be much of a problem. Bearing in mind that there are only 6/7 crew members up at any given time as there are two watches, the facilities are not under as much pressure as people think. If a dispute does arise it is quickly resolved by the watch leader or ultimately the skipper. The only really sensitive area is waking people up who are off watch or being late on watch - both these are pretty rare events as it is in everyone's interest to get along as a team. Hope this helps. Some crew volunteers, rather tongue in cheek, suggested that it was the bigger and stronger crew members who get their own way all the time!
Steve Wyre |
Message How is the fishing are you catching anything? I hope you don't hit anything on the way. Have you seen any icebergs around lately? Amy McLaren |
Response Dear Amy, We don't do any fishing aboard because its a distraction from what we're doing which is racing. We're very serious about that. Also I'm superstitious and believe that if you take from the sea it will want something in return - as an example, broken equipment or broken people. Many sailors are superstitious and where we are no one makes jokes about it. Merfyn Owen |
| Message You're all an inspiration to all sailors. Keep plugging away. Just wondering what problems the yachts and crews are facing when entering the "fifties" and "sixties"? I realise that ice would definitely be a navigational hazard but what about the possible ice build up on deck? How would freezing spray that results in ice build up in the rigging affect stability and what is done to solve this problem? Stephen deForest |
Response Dear Stephen, Can appreciate that as a fire-fighter in Canada in the winter that you could bring a building down through ice build up when fighting a fire - unfortunate if your clearing up below it. Answer to question is that its cold, but not that cold down here - we haven't seen ice build up on the rig. Biggest problem is ice particles and hailstones on the exposed skin when helming. We use skiers face masks combined with ski goggles and very close fitting jacket hoods, 'Tricks' at the helm are limited sometimes to 20 to 30 minutes because of conditions. Merfyn Owen |
| Message How do you handle the rotation for yourself? Sailing with each group every so often or sailing when it's seems your needed the most? Chris Holmes |
Response I have delegated most work on the boat leaving me with three main jobs - necessary admin of a race boat, encouraging speed, decision making and meteorology/tactics. When I'm not doing this I try to helm as much as possible. Because we have 'dramas' as well from time to time and a great many sail changes (I normally take the helm when guys are on the foredeck or up spinnaker poles - for safety reasons) this means that I can get to my bunk as few times as not at all in 48 hours, to a maximum so far of 5 hours straight sleep. That hasn't happened often and I survive normally on cat naps of 1 - 2 hours. I try to be around in the middle of most watches for a time and at watch changeovers. Merfyn Owen |
| Message Do you still see evidence of pollution near 60 degrees south? Jennifer Saunders |
Response We've seen very little pollution on the trip so far except for oil off the Brazilian coast, near an oil field/loading terminal. Down here in the Southern Ocean its very clean and refreshing, man hasn't ruined this ocean yet - it's fantastic wilderness. For your interest we bag all our rubbish onboard and save it. even though its difficult to store and its extra weight. 14 people create a lot of rubbish (mainly food packaging) in 6 weeks at sea waste food goes over the side thought to feed the fish because it would really smell if we kept that. Merfyn Owen |
| Message Approaching the Famous Cape Horn must be sending shivers down a few spines as you are all more than aware of the stories - especially going the wrong way as you are. Are there any crew members that are very worried about such a daunting piece of water? Chris Hamer, Wellington, New Zealand |
Response Yes Chris, everybody is a bit anxious about going around the infamous Horn. You would be a fool to say otherwise and a little fear and trepidation is a good think because it builds respect. Some crew members will show this anxiety in different ways so it is up to the team to carry everybody through. As I write we are 82nms from the Horn so we hope to pass around the famous landmark before the day is out - next stop Wellington, New Zealand. Come down and see us when we get in and we will show you around. Tom O'Connor |
| Message How do you keep focused on this long range goal? What motivational edge do you use to keep the team spirit at its peak? Keith Howard, MCI East Data Applications Support, North Carolina. |
Response Hi Keith, very astute questions. I keep focused firstly because I have always wanted to do something like this and secondly, opportunities like this only come once in a lifetime so it is very important to make the best of it. Like my crew, I have made a lot of personal sacrifices because at the end of the day I know that it will have been worthwhile. I try and focus entirely on the yacht and crew and block out as many distractions as I can. At the same time I do realise that in the big picture this is only a yacht and the vast majority of people could not give two hoots about it. To the second part of your question I would say the following. Theory and management principles are all fine back in the classroom but out on a yacht living with 13 people in cramped conditions and living and working in a hostile environment, it is a different story. As skipper you must offer strong leadership without being overbearing. I cannot say what gives me the edge when it comes to team spirit because this is an unfair question. However I think everybody can have a laugh and say that they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Tom O'Connor |
| Message Which part of the race are you least looking forward to and why? Gary Wright, Student and Windsurfer, Rossendale Valley Sailing Club |
Response Hi Gary, I think the part of the race I am least looking forward to is the leg between Sydney and Cape Town. The seas down there are the foulest known to man and having done a tough southern ocean leg already, it will be very hard going back into it. In addition, I think there may be a number of injuries on the rougher legs so as a crew medic I shall be dealing with them. Chris on-board medic, |
| Message What did you eat today? Was it hard to do the cooking? Hannah Wilkin, 5 years Cumbria |
Response Hello Hannah, hope you're warmer than we are. Today we had boiled eggs for breakfast but no soldiers, nice warm bread fresh from the oven; soup for lunch and cake for a snack in the afternoon. For tea we had spaghetti bolognaise with angel delight for dessert…..Yes it is very hard to cook - the cake falls out of the tin all over the oven and the bowls we eat out of slide down the table; you need more than two hands to hold on to everything. Luckily, the cooker rocks with the boat so supper stays in the pan (sometimes). With Love, Becky, |
| Message Message to Tom O'Connor on Pause to Remember. We're keeping a close eye on your progress over the Internet. Ireland 12 Aussies 22, Richard wasn't playing. Ireland looked promising, a win was there to be taken but Ireland shield away from it KEEP AWAY FROM THOSE SHEEP SIRENS ON THE FALKLANDS. Baby Ciara says hurry up. Michael McDonnell UK | |
| Message Well done on coming second in the first leg! We are following your progress. Good luck on the next leg! Happy and safe Christmas.
From Helen Long, Diane Willstrop, Claire Auton, Helene Simm and Isobel Farnswort
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| Message Good luck to all, your spirit of adventure is inspirational, fantastic to be in the virtual race and follow you all. There will certainly be no losers amongst you. Anyone who would like sightseeing in Sydney feel free to ask-the least we could do for following your adsorbing journey.
Tony Mahoney supermarket manager - Sydney | |
| Message Murray (Boris) Webber on yacht Courtaulds International keep up the good work and keep those averages up. Hope to see you up front of the pack soon. Good luck and safe sailing around Cape Horn.
Regards Phil and Laura from Harvey Yachts - Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Message Andy Girling crew member Group 4 - Charlotte Rose surface from 1.00pm Est 11/27, 7lbs 12ozs 10 fingers, 10 toes and perfect in many other ways, mom and baby both in good shape and coming home in time for thanks giving dinner with Ben, Grandad, Grandma and Dad. We're all following you on the Web. Aileen says to get back into 1st place pronto.
All the best John & Isobelle Surface, Len & Eileen Ley | |
| Message Tom O'Connor, Skipper of Pause to Remember. Tom how does this differ from sailing with the Air Corps team in the Round Ireland in 1994 and will you ever be the same when you get home… best of luck Go for it
Celly O'Brien - AIB Sailing Club and National Yacht Club | |
| Message To Liz Rowan, Heath Insurance - Best wishes for your voyage. We are following your yacht's progress via the home page. The really interesting sailing will start in the next few days as you come into the roaring forties. Good Luck. Regards, Les, Vickie, Kate and Ellie Les Smith - Jamberoo, Australia | |
| Message To RNLI lifeboat crew members taking part in the global challenge from a fellow lifeboatman: Just to say good luck on your trip, and I hope you raise PLENTY for the RNLI!!!! Maybe I can join you in a few years time! Scott A Mcllravie, Kinghorn Lifeboat | |
| Message What do you miss the most while navigating in the sea? Rene Deool, Journalist, Brazil |
Response We all miss our partners and families at home and will especially over Christmas, but its even tougher on them. Apart from all the normal things like TV, bacon and eggs, a pint of beer. But we know if we had them the novelty would wear off after a day.
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| Message How do you cope with seasickness which will inevitably affect some of you? Dorothy Hart, Teacher, UK |
Response Sea-sickness is more of a problem. About half of us are affected to some degree, usually at the beginning of each leg or in the first rough weather. It makes you feel cold, miserable, wanting to sleep until it goes away. It's no fun, but you do get over it. Some of us take Sturgeon pills, a few wear special wristbands as well which reduce the problem. Simon Montague, |
| Message Fear. What is it like, have any of you racers felt it? How does it make you act? I ask this because I have been watching closely and myself would be terrified! Alex Hurn, IT Consultant, Kenya |
Response None of us have felt real fear yet. Some of us may do, others won't. We're all apprehensive about going round Cape Horn in a weeks time. The crucial thing is that we look after each other. Out here we depend on ourselves and our crewmates, and they depend on us. Even one person frighten would be bad for all of us. Simon Montague, |
| Message Do you think you will be able to go back to what you did before the Challenge or has your life been changed too much? Freya Revie, Scotland |
Response Its too early to say whether the race will change any of us forever. Some of us may come home stronger, or more positive, or more relaxed, or more confused about what we want to do with the rest of our lives. For the moment it's almost impossible to imagine life at home, going to work, getting ready for Christmas. All we do is sail, sleep, eat, 24 hours a day. Simon Montague, |
| Message Hello All, I'm lying 622 in the virtual race, have you got any tips! Wishing everyone a marvellous voyage, it's an inspiration just watching it all unfold. Goodbye and good luck. Philip Palij |
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| Message Stuart (Junk Food Man), is it true that Concert did so well because the rest of the crew wanted to arrive before it was your turn to cook again? Mark Rhodes |
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| Message Good Luck, good winds for all. Rio watches U. Guilherme Pacheco |
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| Message Good luck on your long journey's across the world! Lee Jones |
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| Message What is the most thrilling experience for you so far in the race and what do you think will be the most dangerous leg? p.s I worked aboard QE2 during some storms and it was "crazy" !Good Luck all.! Pearse Fahy, Ireland |
Response The most thrilling experience so far is a hard one to answer. Since we haven't won a leg yet! I hope it's still to come. The start day in Southampton was very memorable, both for the emotions of saying goodbye and the horrible weather. Seeing a school of dolphins playing under the bow, helming at top speed with the spinnaker up on a moonlit night, sighting the coast of Brazil after a month at sea were all exciting. We try to avoid dangerous moments by thinking ahead safety, but Jocelyn Walters tore off a finger nail while we were dropping a spinnaker. There was blood everywhere. She's now wearing a large bandage and on light duties only. Simon Montague, |
| Message What has been the most exciting marine life you have seen from the boat in the last 2 weeks? James Peterson |
Response In the Trades, both North and South of the equator, the presence of dolphins diving, weaving, leaping around the boat. Just South of Cape Verde Islands we crossed a "Dolphin motorway" - hundreds of dolphins tracking across the boat totally intent, seemingly on their destination, somewhere in a south-easterly direction. At the other extreme, an exhausted Tern taking shelter on the boat for a couple of days. In the moonlight there was the extraordinary sight of a whale's tail looming out of sea only yards away from the boat - a sleeping whale perhaps I, but the tail slowly and majestically submerged as we passed by. Trevor Comer - Commercial Union
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| Message Our class is following the race in our studies this term. We have our own virtual yacht too, although we are not doing all that well at present. What has been the hardest part of the voyage so far? We are interested to know how the crew are holding up.Thank you. Year 7 Class, Trinity College, South Australia |
Response There have been many brilliant moments and many very hard moments. The start of the race on September 29th from Southampton was very rough - Gale Force 9 - this was very difficult. The Doldrums have been frustrating as we had no wind for 36 hours - the temperature was 35 degrees C. Also, approximately 50 miles from Rio - the wind 'died' we were 'parked' and desperate to get sailing again. The crew have all enjoyed the last leg and we are looking forward to Leg 2, Rio de Janeiro to Wellington. We know it will be cold, hard work and at times, frightening but we are still looking forward to it. Jo Walters - Nuclear Electric
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| Message Do you ever get on each others nerves? If so what do you do? Chris Herbert |
Response Yes - sometimes there is conflict on board. It is best to agree to differ and carry on to do the next thing. On a personal level - put your Walkman on!!! |
| Message What does it feel like to find a 40-foot wave crashing over the deck of the boat? ZHTR |
Response Not yet had 40 foot waves as the first leg has been predominantly down-wind sailing with a following sea. We expect such weather and seas as we round Cape Horn and into the Southern Ocean. We'll tell you what it's like on reaching Wellington. |
| Message What have been the most common medical complaints the yachts have reported or logged so far? James Robinson |
Response Stomach upsets 'Gunnel Bum' - a rash on one's behind due to sitting on hard decks when wet Rope Burns |
| Message Dear All, Just to say GOOD LUCK from everyone in 6G Alvechurch Middle School, Alvechurch, Nr Birmingham, England. Our teacher Miss Graham told us about your voyage and I shall follow you on a BIG globe my Grandad gave me p.s. it is very old! Katharine Stock |
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| Message Just a word of caution as you approach 'The Line' and your visit from King Neptune. If you observe 'the ceremony' and welcome him onboard you will be blessed with fair Winds and kind Sea's tall to observe 'The ceremony' and who knows ! Good Luck From all at Neptune's School of Yachting. |
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| Message To David Greaves, Courtaulds International. Best wishes from all at St Mary's School Knaresborough. Have you seen dolphins or other interesting sea life? Hope all is well with you. Philip Bothamley |
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| Message Good luckin'joy Greece is watching you close George Leonardos |
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