The solo around the world yacht race and other sailing related items.
International date line, radio show
Skippers log #4
42 15s 179 20e at 20:15 GMT
I am becalmed. Had no wind all night, just drifting. Watch the moon rise through the clear night. Not a cloud with wind in site. There is still a left over sea, rocking the boat back and forth as a current tries to carry us northwest ward. I have crossed the international date line twice, and just can't seem to stay on the western side. I need to get another 60 to 90 miles south to have a chance of finding the westerlies. Someday I will find waters with perfect sailing. This is so much like life. It never always goes the way we want, but in the end, all does work out.
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Skippers log #5
43 40s 178 15w at 11:00 GMT
We got SW wind and making good progress at last. We finally crossed the international dateline into the western hemisphere. I am exhausted and slept in this morning. I had some vivid dreams. Mark Barnhardt from News Printing Company has been since we met helping me focus on many issues for our Foundation. I dreamt that he and I were in Cape Town and he was giving me council, while the screen writer for Jerri Li was trying to incorporate our discussions into their motion picture. It was so vivid that I awoke disoriented wondering were every one had gone. Gwen is still traveling somewhere on North Island and I have had no contact with her in days. She is not reachable on e-mail either. Approaching Valentines Day, I am thinking of her constantly. I forgot to make arrangements to get her red roses in my hastes in Auckland. We are going to have a lot of making up to do in Punta.
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Skippers log #6
45 03s 74 12w at 01:55 GMT
In my part of the world right now it is valentines day, but I don't know where my Valentine is. At least I know who she is, but not where she is roaming with her cousin who introduced us 8 years ago. I think of all the couples I know who are celebrating this special day. One friend I know is on a train from Knysna to Cape Town, South Africa with his valentine, having proposed. I think back to my mid teen age years when this day meant cards for one young lady or another over the years. Some are married now, with families. I have a lot of making up to do with Gwen!! Out here the wind is favorable and steady, and progress is good having done 172 miles. I have put the hatch cover over to keep the heat in, and soon I hope the heater will pump out good heat. Tomorrow morning (Monday) at 10:15 local time in Cape Town I will be live on Cape Talk in a promotion with Netcare. Netcare begins an ad campaign to build brand awareness and I am part of that program. So tune in! This is the stuff I enjoy as much as the sailing. When the sailing can help companies and people, and make a difference, then we are progressing. One of the most enjoyable radio shows I did was in Auckland with an Irishman, Oliver Lee on a national community radio. He linked up Jim Fahy in Ireland live on the 90 minutes show. Jim was the journalist who brought me to international awareness and became a close friend. Radio is such a fun medium, especially when it is live.
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Skippers log #6
Dear Terita,
Thank you for you letter. A few days ago I saw a killer whale. It was about half a mile away and sounded three times in 5 minutes very briefly before disappearing. I also saw a sunfish. It was so close to the boat, I nearly ran over it accidentally. I am in touch daily with Neil Hunter on Paladin 2 and Minuro Saito on Shuten Dodji 2. We talk twice a day and share our limited news. Mostly we talk about our weather conditions and what we predict is coming our way. Minuro saw 4 whales the other day. I too am looking forward to my arrival in Charleston in late May. It is only 4 months away, but I have a lot of miles still to sail to get there. I hope you will be on the dock when I arrive. Work hard at school and get good grades. See you in May. Regards, Neal