Donna Lange leaves NZ for Cape Horn and Home

by Jane Pares on 28 Nov 2006 18.20 on Tues Nov 21 2006 about 5 miles or so off Cape Brett. Wind = 5-7 knots. Speed = 1-2 knots. CoG 100°. Mostly cloudy with a cool breeze. 65°F

1804 on Wed Nov 22 2006 35'53'S 176'37'E Winds SW 15kn, seas <2m, sunshine and glorious. Speed = 5kn CoG 110°

Donna Lange, the intrepid musician, sailor, grandmother left New Zealand on Tues 21 Nov on a momentous voyage home to Rhode Island via Cape Horn, in her faithful 28ft double-ender Southern Cross sloop, Inspired Insanity.

She has been here since the end of April refitting, repairing, upgrading and preparing her boat and herself for the next 5 months at sea. In the seven months she spent here she’s made some very close friendships and inspired everyone who came across her.

New Zealand really gave her a huge welcome and many Kiwis pulled out the stops to help her in her circumnavigation.

A boatload of friends accompanied her for three hours out of Opua. Donna, true to form, played her flute to them across the water as she sailed away.

She’s grateful for this period of calm to settle herself back into life on the ocean, to sort out communication systems and to gradually let go after a truly action packed time on land.

By 18.20 on Tues evening off Cape Brett, she’d dropped the sails and was resting. The skies were clearing and she was hoping for a breeze to pick up so that she could set the wind vane up and keep moving. 'It would be nice to be sailing but this is fine. A breather. Make a cup of tea. Start to gather my thoughts and further study the information I need to make the most of all the new equipment I have on board. It is so strange to no longer be in a hurry.'

Donna is leaving much better equipped with communications thanks to Xaxero Marine Software Engineering Ltd and Global Marine Net. www.xaxero.com has given her complimentary weather-fax software and satellite interface on her computer, while www.globalmarinenet.com has sponsored her with the necessary software to access weather information via the web and email via her iridium phone, as well as providing vessel tracking.

You can follow Donna’s progress across the oceans, via a link on her website www.donnalange.com, which will also carry updates directly from her.

Donna writes ..My Heartfelt Thanks to -

Angie, who owns The Mokaba Cafe in Whangarei Town Basin, has been a huge sponsor and support to me, providing an endless stream of useful items to make my world aboard more comfortable and safe, helping practically on the boat as well as with funding and most importantly just being my friend.

Bruce Burdett of the Sakonnet Times in Rhode Island

Capehorn Steering Vanes www.capehorn.com

Chris and Julia Bone and all at Mamaki for tremendous support and helping hands.

Danny Stevens leant his healing touch and message therapy to aid my physical recovery as well as helping me get mobile with a set of wheels.

David Lowes Marine Services was generous with his time repairing the engine Dave.Lowes@xtra.co.nz

Dianna Dreanan, the Plumbers Distributors Association of NZ

Dion Rogers for his musical camaraderie, dinghy sailing and help with woodwork on the boat

Dogs Bollicks who offered paying gigs in the Irish tavern amidst Irish dancers.

Don Vicars, an H-28 owner living in Opua has driven me all over the place, leant tools and called every day in case I needed a lift.

Fatty Goodlander, roving editor for Cruising World www.cruisingworld.com

Forrest Hill Physiotherapy Centre for providing complimentary visits for re-hab on my back injury www.forresthillphysio.co.nz

Global Marine Net sponsorship with the necessary software to access weather information via the web and email via the iridium phone, as well as providing vessel tracking with www.globalmarinenet.net

Halcyon Properties, Inc - Iridium Satellite phone and software with a solar charging system.

Italian Maritime Mobile Net

Jack and Carol Rogers sponsored me with a new battery

Jack Stanley of Stanley Marine who was always so helpful.

Lane and Kay Finley of Clean Wake Productions www.cleanwakeproductions.com

Legge Boat Builders and Port Supply - good advice for the bow repair, free bits and pieces and good discounts on the caulks and other supplies needed to repair the bow and other projects.

Lifestream International Ltd, New Zealand has kindly come on board with nutritional supplements for the next leg. They have offered two bottles of AstaZan 90 for sunburn protection, a powerful antioxidant and muscle recovery support and two bottles of Spirulina T1000 tablets for energy and the immune system. www.lifestream.co.nz

Martin’s Flag Co Inc. Fort Dodge, Iowa Flag and accessories www.martinsflag.com

Milford Cruising Club on Auckland’s North Shore adopted me, hauling Inspired Insanity out and putting her in their yard for nothing.

MTI Adventure Wear have taken on the task of keeping me dry and warm on the Cape Horn leg with several Palm Dry suits for the foul weather ahead www.mtiadventurewear.com

Musical venues in Whangarei – especially REVA's and Frings Tavern. Thank you to Dennis Fring, as contacts made in his tavern meant I was featured in the local Sunday glossy magazine insert.

My family with all their support and love

My Mom and Ernie Moore for finances and for managing the Home Team and loving support

Neil Vangundy for his tireless masterminding of my website

Ness Norman with the SSB receiver

Nick, the Irish shipwright came smiling daily for weeks, giving his time to do all the woodwork still needing to be done around the boat from building new companionway doors to fixing the deck handrails.

North Shore Leisure Centre, New Zealand is providing VIP membership to the pool and gym to facilitate my re-hab programme www.northshoreleisure.co.nz

Northern Advocate for article support.

Pacific Yacht Deliveries, Chris Bone who made the initial contact with some key sponsors. He did the sea-trial on Inspired Insanity from Tutukaka to Opua with me and gave the boat a thorough survey which provided a blue print to work with. His input, support and professionalism has been invaluable www.pacifiyachtdeliveries.co.nz

Pat Henry and Coming About, Mexico Teaching students to sail with confidence and passion www.coming-about.com

Renfred, a ham radio guru has put in many, many hours rebuilding the SSB doing his best to make it reliable. Him and his wife Heather are medical professionals and have helped with antibiotics etc.

Richard Thorpe and his contacts in TVNZ.

Robbie volunteered to make an amazing radio cabinet to ensure it stays dry.

Ross the sail maker.

Scott Jones with the SSB radio

Steve McCabe the rigger.

Stewart Kahn, STay-n-Out Program in NYC and all the awesome ladies involved.

Stu Kahn for his sponsorship and my work with Stay-n-Out

Suzanne Bailey and Louise who have been a wonderful support.

The Brightmans for giving me so much foul weather gear

The EcoStore, New Zealand are kindly supplying me with a variety of their environmentally friendly cleaning products for personal as well as boat use www.ecostore.co.nz

The Tues Night Jam Gang at Glynn's

The NZ Multi-Hull Yacht Club who gave me the opportunity to sing at the Coastal Classic party in Russell.

Tom Outman for his weather info

Tony Norman of Mangonui who organized a couple of great venues for me and a friend to play music, as well as accommodating us.

Wayne Limbrick, Waypoint Electronics for help with the SSB radio at short notice. waypoint.wayne@xtra.co.nz

Will Barbeau for his help with publicity in the US

Wolf and Doris from sv_Nomad. An Austrian couple who have been a great support in Opua with many details and lots of photographs. He is a professional photographer.

Women without Borders, an advocacy, PR and lobbying organization for women around the globe www. women-without-borders.org

Xaxero Marine Software Engine