PART C Training...

So I've returned, slightly battered and bruised, from a week of strong winds and rough sea conditions on my PART C training.

This was the first time I sailed with Pete Stirling, our skipper for the race, and also my crew that i'll be competing in the race with. My overiding memory i'll take from this week is that i've ended up on a great boat. Our skipper is quietly confident, extremely experienced and is pushing for a podium finish in the race. The crew is mix of people from all walks of life, some Round-the-worlders and some leggers, but all equally enthusiastic about the challenge ahead.



The week started with the Solent lulling us into a false sense of security, with blue skies and moderate winds, easy miles and everyone familiarising themselves with the boats again. The mid-week picture began to look very different however, and by the fourth day, after 48 hours of non-stop racing gybing spinnakers in the dead of night and dodging on-coming shipping we were hit by over 40 knots of wind and waves up to 15ft.

Needless to say we had a tough time of it, but it was probably ideal preparation for what is to come on some of the legs.

Watch systems were split as usual, spending 4 hours on and 4 hours off during the night and 6 on and 6 off during the day. Watch leaders weren't assigned though this week and we are still yet to see how roles on board will be assigned for the actual race.

We finished the week doing some man over board drills whilst at the same time practising what to do if the steering on the boat fails! Made for some interesting sailing and unfortunately for the fender that was thrown over the side in simulation, it would have been extremely lucky to have got him back alive. Still, practice makes perfect...

3 pints and a shower later and I completely crashed! I didn't realise just how tired I was until we were moored up and a decent nights sleep was available. I know i'll get used to this on the race but excuses like 'not being a morning person' are definitely going to have to go out the window for sure!

One of the other boats was also confirmed as being sponsored by Edinburgh and you can read about the sponsorship here. No news yet unfortunately for us, we're still known as the CV2 crew, although a rumour on the grapevine this week suggested we might actually end up being sponsored by Jamaica! Will keep you posted...

Next PART C training in 1 week and counting. Can't wait. Until then...

78 days to go....

If seems a lifetime ago that I started the countdown timer on my website. I remember it started at about 475 days.

Well as you can see, nearly 400 days of having itchy feet have passed since that point. Sure I have kept myself busy with running a marathon, a climbing trip to Northern Peru, walking the entire length of the Thames and of course my training towards the race, but I just cannot WAIT to get going now!

Currently reading a book by an ultra marathon runner called Dean Karnazes that is absolutely incredible. Some of his feats are beyond comprehension (running 350, yes thats right 350 miles NON-STOP) and it has really inspired me! I did my first run again in about 3 months this morning and I plan on keeping that up right up until race start now to get myself as fit as possible.

No news on the boat sponsor yet unfortunately, hoping to bring you some news on that soon and still hoping it will be Liverpool.

Off on my PART C training next wednesday night - really looking forward to sailing with my crew for the first time and heading out into the Atlantic...

Some photos from the last race...

I was looking through the 07-08 race website the other day, and found some great photos from the last race which I thought i'd put up here.

There will be a specific person on each yacht that is responsible for media communications, video footage, still photography etc. This is a hugely important role as it communicates our story with all those back on land, particularly race sponsors and partners.

It is not a role which I myself am keen to pursue, as there are undoubtedly people that will be more skilled at this than me, however I do hope to be able to get some great photos and videos to be able to send back to Turner and Townsend, friends and family whilst I'm away.

It also holds another importance for me. I sincerely hope this is not the last major yacht race I do, so having a documented account, be it video, photography, text etc. will serve as a good reminder to continue pursuing ambitions in the world of ocean racing...

Anyway, there are a whole host of images on the 07-08 site, which you can get to through clipperroundtheworld.com, so go check them out! We've also found out that our PART C courses (both of them) are likely to head as far out as possible into the Atlantic. Will be our first taste of ocean sailing together and obviously a great chance to sail with our new skipper and to start working together as a crew! Only two and half weeks to go - can't wait....

Hoping to be a Watchleader...

I'm still hoping that for some, if not all the race I can be a Watchleader for CV2. Here's my list of responsibilities if I get selected;

• Will provide leadership, motivation and encouragement to their watch crew whilst
ensuring the yacht is safely sailed at the optimum speed on the optimum course at
all times.
• Will ensure that the yacht complies with IRPCS, the racing rules and the sailing
instructions at all times.
• Will undertake navigation and log keeping duties whilst on watch.
• Will take part in the tactical, navigation and meteorological discussions and planning
at any time along with the skipper and other watch leader including prior to race
start.
• Will ensure the smooth running of their watch including dealing with any personal
issues, disputes and sea sickness etc.
• Will ensure all of their watch crew are on deck at least 5 minutes before their watch
is due to start.
• Will ensure the cockpit and deck is kept clean whilst on watch.
• Will undertake tasks identified by the skipper and comply with any temporary
standing orders.
• Will be responsible for organising their watch during stop over deep cleans.

It will go a long way to getting my practical Yachtmaster Ocean at the end of the race so fingers crossed!

The lo-down: Nav & Met and Crew Allocation!

So lots has been happening in the world of Clippers since my last update. We had a great week doing Nav and Met, although we were slightly jealous of all the PART B courses heading out into the Solent every day!

We covered the IRPCS (International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea), as well as Meteorology and Chart Work. To begin with the general consensus was that it’s extremely presumptuous of Clippers to call it a ‘Round the World’ yacht race – we would have been lucky to make it round the Isle of Wight! However by the end of the week it all began to fall into place and the prospect of getting round the globe seemed a little bit more achievable. Still, I am wondering how easy it will all be when the boat is heeled over in a Force 9 in the Southern Ocean?? I’ll let you know how I get on with the plotter and dividers when I’m out there….

Still, I met some great people and passed the exams for my Yachtmaster onshore, so all in all a good week.

The big news however is from Crew Allocation!! Didn’t end up on Hull and Humber, although apparently there were over 80 requests for this boat from people much more local to the area than myself. I have however ended up on a boat which has an overwhelming presence from the North West! Its looking likely it will be sponsored by Liverpool! Unfortunately there’s not much more of an update I can give you on that, except that until its confirmed in a few weeks time, I’m officially a member of the CV2 crew!! Anyway, more news on that as we find out…

I also got to meet my skipper and crew for the first time. I’m really pleased that we’ve ended up with one of the most experienced skippers doing the race who has sailed the Atlantic no less that 18 times already!! There also seems to be some very good experience within the crew as well, so as well as having a lot of fun on the way, we should be able to be a seriously competitive boat! The demographic seems quite young and as with most of the boats we have a good balance of males and females and a few different nationalities thrown in as well!

I’m now back in London, where I will be resuming working with sponsors. It has now been confirmed that the race will be stopping in Cape Town, and its 90% likely to be Perth. As soon we know this I can start organising my client events!

There are loads more events coming up over the next few months as well – 2 PART C courses, additional specialist training courses, crew weekend away etc. so I’ll be kept busy.

Until next time…