2015 -16 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Sewing finished!
by Diane Reid on 4 Sep 2015
Fleet in action - Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race Clipper Ventures
The sewing is finished! Our sail repair team has grown in numbers. Alex Laline and Nigel Odling recruited Debbie Spicer and Chris Geary to the sewing task to give them a break and even the Skipper pitched in on a little sewing to get the job done.
They were working so hard at it that it wasn't unusual to go pass by the sewing machine and see them slumped over and asleep trying to get it done.
Great job done by all to get our medium weight spinnaker back together.
Fortunately the weather has been very much on our side and everyone is settling in nicely to their jobs and the routines on board. For dinner last night we had a sailor's version of shepherd's pie. Mince, corn, peas and gravy in the bottom of the bowl and a nice big spoonful of mash on top.
Very yummy!
The occasional dolphin has been spotted but not much for wildlife yet other than at watch change seeing all the unusual creatures climb out of their bunks and don their gear! Speaking of the team, they are doing fantastic.
We got the lightweight spinnaker up yesterday and they were doing so well with it we attempted to carry it into the night. The helmsmen were doing a great job of driving up and down in the pressure and calling their helm adjustments to the trimmers and the trimmers and grinders were doing a wonderful job of keeping the kite full. As the wind increased, it became apparent that we were going to have to take the kite down. It's always tricky taking down a big spinnaker at night. It's very hard to see and as the breeze was up it was a bit noisy on deck. We rehearsed the roles and steps in the take down and then went for it.
Then Tony Truong blew the tack line. Chris Geary managed the spinnaker sheets. Mark McCauley and Hal Stokes ground in the clew. John Randall, Han Kim and Nigel Odling gathered up the sail through the letterbox for the douse and Elaine Hargreaves managed the halyard down all while Mark Stevenson was driving us deep downwind. Great job done by all and the kite came down flawlessly. It took lots of effort but flawlessly never the less!
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