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Quotes from the fleet

Quotes from the fleet

"We ended up being last boat out of the harbour, but this probably not surprising because we are not as light as the others and have a lot of equipment the others do not carry – ice axes and bikes for example."

Dario Schwoerer - Pachamama: Swiss Top to Top Global Climate Expedition
27/12/08 – 1600AEDT

We saw a satellite image of the frontal system heading to Bass Strait and we are always careful with the weather, so we’re on our way into Eden to let the approaching front come past.

We hope to be in there around 9-10 o’clock this evening. When we leave will depend upon how the weather develops. It may be that we can continue tomorrow.

The start was wonderful, very exciting with all the other boats around. Seeing the helicopters in the sky and all the people on boats and the shore cheering was something we have never experienced before.

We worked very hard to get a good position on the start, which we managed. Then we had some problems with the main halyard. We could not go hard on the wind.

We ended up being last boat out of the harbour, but this probably not surprising because we are not as light as the others and have a lot of equipment the others do not carry – ice axes and bikes for example.

Once we were out of the harbour we were able to do some catching up and have been sailing most of the time with 14-15 boats around us. Something we are not used to in the remote places where we usually sail.

The children are ashore for the race staying with a family. We know they are enjoying themselves because they have more toys to play with than on the boat! Hopefully we will not be too much later than planned because of our stop in Eden.

Whatever happens we wish all the other boats racing hard in the Bass Strait all the best and see them soon.