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May 25, 2007
AZAB 2007
Later on this evening my father and I leave our berth in Burnham and head for Falmouth for the start of the 2007 Azores and back race. The race consists of 2 legs (there and back) with a stopover in Ponta Delgada and covers a distance of 2500 nautical miles.
The preparations and effort required to get to this point have been tremendous, frustrating and tiring. The list of jobs completed includes a new pilot and rewiring, new mast, rig and boom, new sails, new Sat phone etc. To date this project has taken at least a year up to this point.
The support received from friends old and new has been very flattering. A special mention should go to:
• The Stanbury’s (I include Naomi in this crowd) for being lovely
• Winch Master Whatley for his servicing skills (Carrie for making me tea)
• Jerry Freeman, Paul Peggs and the Petit Bateau crowd for lots of good advice
• The TBYC and CYC elite
• Dave H for chillin
• JB for giving me another good reason to get there.. See you in the Azores JB!
The AZAB website (www.azab.co.uk) is supposed to also be publishing the official position reports so be sure to check that out. I had originally thought I would opt out of the position reporting but so many people have said they would like to track our little adventure it would be a shame to disappoint. In addition to the content found on the AZAB website I will post as much content via Iridium SMS here (www.ninjod.org/azab2007/) . Note.. I only finished writing this gateway today so fingers crossed.
If your are one of the special few who have my Sat phone number then the URL you need that will enable you to send my father and I SMS type messages is here.
Finally a number of race participants are also attempting to raise cash for a number of different charities. Take a look at the bottom of the entries page on the AZAB website and if any of the stories/charities take your fancy pledge what you can afford. I must say I find it admirable that these people have found the time to both prepare themselves and their yachts as well as raise cash for good causes…
Content (picture’s and video) should be available at the end of the 1st leg, until then happy thoughts to you all.
Paul
Posted by ninjod at May 25, 2007 06:31 AM
Comments
GO GO Pauly Paul...
Remember... Sail Fast, Sail Safe and have a Tanq at sundown for us...
Take loads of photos, shoot loads of video and we'll see you for a show and tell when you get back......
Posted by: Maxi Jazz at May 25, 2007 09:29 AM
For Paul- you know how much I'm missing you already. Get there safely and have fun
For everyone else - Heard from the man himself today and it seems he has wind! SOunds in good spirits as ever.
Posted by: JB at June 3, 2007 10:22 PM
Have a fantastic race, enjoy and stay safe!!!
Posted by: Loraine at June 4, 2007 04:17 PM
Spoke to Jan yesterday, gave me update on race and where to find your comments on your website. Enjoy the rest of the race, look forward to buying you a pint when you are safely back in BOC. Take care. XXX
Posted by: Loraine at June 24, 2007 08:58 AM
Hi! Couldn't find an email address, hopefully this shall do...
We also sail a JOD 35 and would love it if you came down to Eastbourne(England) to sail against us a few times! There are competitive races most sundays and a few regattas dotted about. If you wish to contact us my email is d99fletch[at]aol[dot]com, also check out www.shyc.co.uk ! :)
dave
xx
Posted by: Dave at June 25, 2007 01:38 AM