Breaking news – De Lage Landen and Visit Finland will unite – they are proposing a new Clipper136 (2 x 68) with 34 (2 x 17) crew and two skippers… or is that just a dream.
Clipper 11-12 race, first level 4 training, first practice race, first place, that was the result of united De Lage Landen and Visit Finland teams, which were united in the same boat for last training. Teams spirits were shared together and results were overwhelming. The race back we were leading about 2/3 of the race but after turning back towards home outside LeHavre the steering cable snapped – and with the emergency steering we ended up being …. well, not any more on the podium.
I had my level 3 and 4 trainings back to back late May and early June, being the first group of level 4 traineers. During those trainings I got to France 4 times, but we never stepped ashore. Training weeks included lots of practical practice and I feel eager and ready to start my race at the end of July.
During the training we met all kinds of conditions, that gave us a realistic picture what the race can be. Nice sunny weather, breeze up to 35 knots, fog with visibility down to one mile, occasional showers, lots of splash etc. etc. One night the spinnaker halyard snapped and we had to “fish” the wet sail back on deck from water. The other time steering cable snapped, and again “emergency” drop of the spinnaker, this time better under control. I got to fix the broken spinnaker (tape + stiches) and climbed my record 30 metres to mast to change the tricolor. On watch system you really got the feeling what the boat life is like, and I fortunately fell in that pretty easily.
Night sails under the starbright sky were the best experiences. Just for excuse, I told others to check the trim on headsails, whereas I actually enjoyed the smooth ride on the pulpit in the middle of the night after my watch.
On the second night of our 4th level training, just before the start of the training race, I was walking around the deck making safety checks before nightfall and felt myself very comfortable and cosy. I felt like this is my boat, the home for me to be for the next 5 months. I had a feeling I have learned enough although the real routine will come while racing. Our team Visit Finland with the skipper Olly Osbourne also had a very succesfull CrewBonding weekend after the training We are ready to go although lots of things to do before the start including remaining trainings, and the last of them with our own brand new Visit Finland!
Our sponsor, Tourist Board of Finland (known as Visit Finland) sums it up sending wishes for the crew (luckily added a bit smile):
"We want you to win!!!"
This is the equipment I will use for the next 5 months + foul weather kit
Member of Visit Finland team, participating (1/2) Round the World legs 1-4
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