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May 25, 2009
The Start
I know that Paul and Ninjod have many followers so I (Jan) am going to do my best to keep you up to date with information. Of course the blog will be updated daily, but I plan to keep in touch with Paul too so will post any additional news. I know he really appreciates all of the good wishes be has been receiving, so if you have any comments please post them and I will try to ensure that they get through.
So...the start. The wind was light this morning and in the North - kite start! No pressure. We rigged the boat and then said our goodbyes. Paul was very nervous by this point. I managed to get a ride out to watch the start with Colin Drummond on Sleuth Hound, which intially I was very excited about, but then did not know if I coud cope with being that close to the action. We were expecting a very line shy fleet, especially given that the penalty for being over the line at any time after the 10 minute warning signal was 30 minutes for every second over the line. With 1 minute to go, Paul still did not have a headsail up and I was starting to think he did not know when the start was. He then jumped into action and pulled the headsail up. Rob in Jbellino and Barry in Dinah made a real race of it, and were first and second over the line. Paul got a pretty good start, about 8th over the line, and most of the fleet were over the line within a couple of minutes. It turned out to be quite a shy kite and only a couple of boats went for it. Oscar on King of Shave was one and we all feared he wouldn't lay the breakwater. We cheered everyone over the start line and I got some pictures which I hope to upload tomorrow.
Posted by ninjod at May 25, 2009 04:50 PM
Comments
Hi Jan,
Hope you have arrived safely in Exeter, was lovely seeing you & Paul yest & today. I know Charlie really enjoyed going aboard!
Glad Paul got off to a good start today, were thinking of you both as we watched from afar. Will be thinking of you both over the next couple of wks & tracking Pauls progress,
Lots of Love, Clare, Charlie & Dan xxx
Posted by: Clare Brant at May 25, 2009 07:07 PM
Legend!
Hope all is going well!
Posted by: Chris Whatley at May 26, 2009 09:10 AM
Hi Jan,
Tell Paul I said Hi!
I have the JOD 35 (Mainstay 5 )in New Hampshire (USA) and have been emailing Paul for several months now.
I hope his first days have been going well.
PS: The position tracker on the blog isn't working.
Cheers,
Jim
Posted by: Jim Coughlin at May 26, 2009 10:57 AM