Elisa's Journey - Part C Training on Cape Breton Clipper!

After all the prep courses, I finally got out for a sail on our Cape Breton Island Clipper! It’s been an exciting week – meeting our skipper Jan and CB race crew, and re-familiarizing myself with the Clipper 68’s. Part C presented us with lots of windy weather and a chance to race against the other Clipper yachts.

The first couple days out were practicing our reefing, headsail changes, and spinnaker work – all in preparation for a two day offshore race against the rest of the fleet. It was great to see some crew members I met in October, and meet the others for the first time. Included on board were two Capers, myself and Dan McCarthy, Allyson Murray from Halifax, and RTW crew Shannon Gallins from Victoria.

Our offshore race was the first of many challenges ahead. We started out in light airs, to the point of stopping at times, and watched as conditions gradually built to a Force 7 (over 30 knots)!

We headed towards France and got the watch system underway – 4 hours on watch, and 4 hours to sleep/eat/prepare to come back on deck. One of our night time watches found us on deck, trying to fold our biggest sail and send it below. I’m not sure how much it weighs, but it takes several people to move it around.  The winds were building. We had to change to smaller sails, which give the boat better control.

The amount of exertion required on a Clipper 68 is more than any boat I’ve ever sailed, even with so many crew members to help out. Following my watch, I climbed into my top bunk, ate an orange while in my sleeping bag, and fell right to sleep. I did not even hear the next watch heaving sails out of the hatch – right beside me!

Up again for my next watch on deck – I am surprised at my lack of energy! Knowing I should have eaten more after my last watch, but was too tired to do so, fatigue had set in. Trying to eat was now difficult with the conditions, so I stuck to water and took a position on the helm – concentration took over! We headed upwind in about 30 knots – it was exhilarating to steer up and down the waves, trying to keep a smooth course for the crew who were seasick. Keep in mind, we haven’t left the channel yet!!

Watch over again, my mission was to get some food in my stomach! I was annoyed with myself for not keeping on top of my food intake. In the past, I found a bit of food and water every two hours would fend off any seasickness or fatigue, so I vowed to get back into my routine. I usually keep a stock of granola bars and water in my bunk – the more accessible the better when it’s rough.

I was craving a banana, and there was one left! Picture your kitchen on a 45 degree angle, and the banana you want to reach is in the top cupboard – on the uphill side!! That was the situation in our saloon. A seasick crew sat on the downhill side, head against the wall, asleep, and grasping a bucket.

Timing it with the waves, I made an attempt to climb up for the banana. Getting within arms reach, I was sent downhill and landed next to my fellow crew. He didn’t wake up. After four more tries, I got the banana! I wanted to share my excitement, and the banana, but he still didn’t wake up. Exhausted from my efforts, I laid down on the bench and took a couple bites. Several minutes later, I realized I had fallen asleep, holding the half eaten banana! The comedy of the situation gave me some energy. I fed the rest to the crew member who missed the whole thing while sleeping!

A bit of sleep, and bearing away to a more comfortable point of sail, saw most of our crew coming alive again – we reached our anchorage after two days at sea and had a midnight feed of eggs on toast!
Helicopter Photo Shoot on Aug 21, 2009

Among the exciting moments of the week was gathering our fleet of Clipper 68’s together for a helicopter photo shoot – it was windy, about 25 knots, and we carried a full main for a dramatic photo opportunity. Our CB Clipper was in the front row with the beautiful eagle design.

Dan McCarthy took the helm as the fleet got into formation – we sailed as a group with a few boat-lengths in between us! As the chopper came around to photograph us individually, we powered up and heeled over to give a good view of the hull design. Our crew sat along the high side rail with boots hanging over the side – I certainly felt proud to be part of this exciting day!

To see the entire fleet together was surreal, and I still can’t believe some days this is actually happening!

Racing Continues!

We continued on another race and battled to catch up with Cork Clipper into the evening – it was a great spinnaker run, especially trimming sails in the dark! Everyone seemed to have recovered from the last race, and was motivated to pull ahead in the race. By our 1am arrival back in Gosport, we passed Cork by an unmentionable distance, and felt satisfied our work had paid off. However, it seems a friendly rivalry has started between Cape Breton and Cork Clippers!

Last Day of Part C

We were rewarded with beautiful sailing for our final day of Part C training. Following some safety drills, a match race with Cork was organized. With crew in position, we had a “Le Mans start” – lining up next to each other, and raising our sails at the same time. We tacked back and forth many times, trimming sails with each move. After a period of close competition, it was clear Cape Breton had gained the lead. It was satisfying to work together as a team and perform well over the week!

The following week is spent in port preparing Cape Breton Clipper for the delivery to Hull – starting point of the Clipper 09-10 Race on Sept 13, 2009!

Elisa's Journey - Sea Survival Training

We spent today launching and boarding life rafts to simulate Sea Survival techniques. Full racing gear and inflated life jacket was worn, allowing crew to feel the difference in ability to move. The life jacket is designed to turn you onto your back, so the only swimming technique that worked was backstroke. We towed our “injured crew” across a swimming pool and practiced staying in a group formation.

Climbing into the life raft from the water required allowance for the life jacket – long arms come in handy! One type of life raft had a boarding ramp, which was easy to board in our calm swimming pool. The other life raft had a two foot wall to climb for entry using a rope ladder. Several people needed a boost to get inside. Once settled in the raft, we learned about creating watch systems to maintain the life raft and keep people alive until rescue.

The instructor had over 30 year experience teaching in the Royal Naval Survival School. He provided a knowledgeable and realistic look at safety considerations at sea and types of equipment used.  It was a good experience, and one of those skill sets you hope never to use!

Elisa's Journey - Navigation and Meteorology Course

The past week I attended a shore-based theory course on Navigation and Meteorology. The equivalent level of material was RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster Theory. I already gained this certification in Australia two years ago, so the course provided an intensive refresher. There were twelve students of varying experience, several at the recommended Day Skipper level. People were not expected to pass all the exams, but were encouraged to take in as much of the material as possible.

After preparing for the course on my own at home, it was great to be in a room with others who were motivated to learn. The level of effort was high, considering we were planning to race across oceans and navigate our way into ports all over the world!

Our teacher, John, was excellent, and managed to include as much of the material as possible in our one week course – even if it meant longer days. We were in class from 08:30 – 18:00, then given homework problems to complete on our own. Three exams were completed over the week, one which required an 80% pass (IRPCS Rules of the Road).

Topics included traditional and modern navigation techniques, applying tidal set and drift, weather patterns, analyzing forecasts, and seamanship. The course was a great review of my previous studies. I gained an even better understanding of the techniques by the end of the week. This should serve as a good lead in to the race, where the knowledge will be put into practice.

One of the most interesting aspects was meeting fellow crew members. Everyone had their own story and different motivations to join a round the world yacht race. After all, they say more people have climbed Mount Everest than sailed around the world!

Many have taken breaks from high level business careers. Others have left their jobs permanently, hoping the race will map out a new direction for their life. Some have taken out mortgages on their homes to cover the race fees. Regardless of the situation, all have made compromises and taken risks.  Common themes discussed among crew members were a search for balance in their lives and a desire to contribute to the world in a meaningful way. The Clipper Race seems to be about more than sailing!