Reaching this major milestone has given the crew’s spirits a huge boost. “With the chat on board you would think we are just about there,” reports skipper, Richie Fearon. “But I suppose with 1,500 miles to go in steady breeze and, taking into account some of the light weather we have had, we are good as there. Our position is still strong being east of the pack of three just ahead of us and, with some wind movements in our favour, hopefully it will strengthen our position further.”
Cork has had a busy time over the last five days dealing with the ever changing conditions. "The last couple of nights have been really mixed," said Richie. "Firstly we had no wind, then rain squalls, and finally a lot of wind. “
However spirits onboard are high with chat on deck about what they miss and what they are looking forward to in Rio. High on the list is the lack of contact with family and friends followed by a homemade dinner, a night’s sleep and clean laundry.
Showers of course are a luxury that the crew is looking forward to in Rio after spending so long with the stifling temperatures above and below deck. Some of the crew took advantage of a rain squall to have a freshwater shower whilst some of the other crew had to rely on a salty splash on deck.
It is estimated that the crews will arrive in Rio de Janeiro around 19/20 October for a week long stopover before departing for Capetown on 27 October.
The Clipper Round the World yacht Race will stop in Cork for 8 days of festivities from 01 July 2010.
