Clipper R8 to Santa Cruz- 2 yachts still in Hawaii

by Clipper Ventures Media on 8 Apr 2008
In Ala Wai Harbor in Honolulu, there has been no let up in the pace of the work to replace Durban 2010 and Beyond's mast and repair westernaustralia2011.com's. Having lifted Durban 2010 and Beyond's mast into place late yesterday afternoon, the riggers have been working today to replace the rope guys that had been holding it in place overnight with steel rigging cables. They plan to go out for an initial set up sail tomorrow, when westernaustralia2011.com's mast should also be ready to lift into place. These are the biggest rigs Ala Wai Marine boatyard has ever had to crane in.

The crews of both boats have been victualling today – not a simple task as they have decided to buy enough tinned and dried food for both Race 8 and Race 9 in order to save time in Santa Cruz, where they will only need to replenish stocks of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Meanwhile on the high seas, the main message coming back from the boats today relates to the varying degrees of seasickness being experienced by the crew. Many crew are struggling to find their sea legs today after a slightly longer stopover during which the crew will have got their land legs back.

Hannah Jenner, the skipper of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, reported to the Race Office, 'The first 24 hours has blown the cobwebs away and most crew members are now looking a little less green. Last night was a difficult night with shifting winds and many squalls. Let's hope tonight is a little more settled!'

Even the sea sick crew will be pleased with their progress today as the Scottish entry appears to be stamping their authority all over this race and has taken an eleven-mile lead.

Danny Watson on British rival Hull & Humber reported, 'Seasickness amongst the crew is subsiding as everyone falls into routines. Gusty, squally conditions now after nightfall.'

According to Qingdao's skipper Marcus Cholerton-Brown, the crew have been celebrating today. 'Most of the crew are starting to recover from seasickness now we have been out for a day or so. One crew member was chatting with the bucket today and in went his glasses. I bet he wished that had happened before rather than after! Enjoyed celebrating Ant and Teddy's birthdays this afternoon. We are all in good spirits, if a little fatigued, from a busy and fun stopover in Hawaii. Cheers to all at the Hawaii Yacht Club and Waikiki Yacht Club for their hospitality.'

The whole fleet is currently experiencing moderate headwinds but a weak ridge in the Pacific high pressure system should give all the teams a slightly better wind angle over the next 24 hours which will see their progress towards Santa Cruz improve. This will, however, push them all further north with the risk of sailing into the centre of the high with its associated light and variable winds.

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