Sorry, folks. We were hoping to be better at posting updates, but the vicious round of partying here takes its toll. Diana, one of our two newly-recruited Canadian crew (the other is Debbie), said ‘It’s not just being out frying in the hot sun all day that takes its toll, but having to go out and party night after night’. She was nursing a sunburned ankle and a rum and coke at the time.
Anyway, one such party was held on Shirley Heights, overlooking English Harbour, on Thursday night. Here’s how sunset over English Harbour looks from up there.
It would have to be said that we’ve worked hard at both partying and racing, but probably our success has been greater at partying. Both have been great fun, however, but it’s time to move on now and we’re planning our next move today. Can’t do it tonight because there’s a big party……
Where we left you:
Nightlife and her motley crew had raced across the Atlantic in the ARC. In a close battle for first place against their nemesis Captain Blind they managed to expertly sail her right to the last minute and finally claimed the trophy.
Once all the partying was done, Tom and Karen undertook the laborious job of sailing the boat across the Caribbean to Antigua ready for Antigua Sailing Week 2010, which is where we are now.
With a refreshed crew consisting of Eddie (from the delivery to the Canneries), Dave (from the ARC itself), TC (that’s me, the bow monkey), and of course Tom and Karen, we aim to win yet again. Or if not, have a great time trying.
For those of you unaware of Antigua Week, it’s a bit like Cowes week where there is a week of racing during the day followed by small parties in the evenings. The difference being we’re faced with temperatures of 30 degrees and rum is the drink of the day.
We will endevour to update the blog with details of the days racing and our time in Antigua. The first race is on Sunday, so wish us luck!
TC
After what seemed like weeks and weeks of waiting, the prizegiving took place last night. Our first place in the racing division was finally confirmed and our phalanx of supporters gave us a great cheer as we received the cup in front of some 800 competitors and their guests.
Rob had to return home before the prizegiving, but the rest of us were all able to take part in a wonderful reception and prizegiving put on by the World Cruising Club.
The picture shows us receiving the cup. If you want to see it for real, it’ll be in the Tally Ho! on New Year’s Eve!
Tom talking on BBC Radio Berkshire about the race:
http://www.sperrey.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/TS-RadioBerkshire.mp3
Inside word is that he may be on Radio 5 at some point also!
This is TC here, the IT guy.
Seeing as Karen has now gone out to join the party, there is no one to keep an eye on the blog. Having found all the photographs from the finish online, I thought it would be a shame not to share them with you all. So if you navigate yourselves over to here:
http://www.photoaction.com/arc09/arc09.htm
Then select Nightlife from the list and click Start Search, you should be presented with lots of pictures of the boat and crew.
That’s all from me.
TC
Well, we’ve finished and it looks as though we’ve finished first. The race office won’t confirm the results until the 18, but our calculations suggest we’ll be OK.
Ever since we felt we were in with a chance (about half ay across), the tension has been mounting and I’d have to say that the last couple of days on board were pretty stressful for us all. But it’s been worth it!
Your comments from the blog have been terrific motivators for us throughout, and I’d like to say sorry to all those people, particularly in the last couple of days, who didn’t get a reply from us. As I’m sure you’ll understand, ‘busy’ was a bit of an understatement in the final couple of days!
Now we’re in, the formalities have been completed, we’re finding our way around and getting broken bits fixed. And we’re going to a party tonight! So you may not hear so much from us now. But you WILL hear from us when we get the final result.
Special thanks to our supporters at The Tally Ho! and to our younger supporters at Class 6M, The Shrubbery School, as well as our friends, colleagues and fellow sailors. It’s been humbling how many people have been interested in adventure and I hope all of you have gained a little insight into what it’s like on board a racing yacht on an ocean race.
Thanks to you all from all the crew and especially me.
Tom.
Here is Mike Sperrey, skipper’s son & nephew of Rob…. celebrating in Warwickshire….. Karen x
Earlier this evening, the boat crossed the finishing line and was met with a welcome party offering fruit, champagne and rum punch together with a steel band. The crew are all tired and when I spoke to Tom just now, the others had gone for a shower whilst he was sitting at the nav table filling out the immigration forms. Groan… Poor skipper … all work, even now filling in blooming forms…
Doubt if he’ll need much rocking tonight.
Unofficially he is 1st, but that has to be ratified when all hope of Dolfijn arriving to overtake him on handicap has gone….
Love to all supporters,
Karen x
7th Man here – well Chief WAG.
Sitting in the office on a wet, dreary afternoon waiting for my husband to cross the finish line with my half of the boat. (and his) Little did I think when he asked me almost 12 months ago if he could do it on our own boat that I would be sitting here with him about to win. Such an achievement and I am so proud of him and Nightlife. All the signs are that he will do it unless the spinnaker rips again or they meet a stong wind as they enter the last few miles.
We won’t know until either they call us or the leader board updates at gone 6. Such nerves. His mobile isn’t in range yet, the Satphone engaged & Norma Kilty who is probably on the pontoon with Dan’s family isn’t answering her phone.
The met man is quietly confident and the World Cruising Club threatening him with going around St Lucia again for keeping them waiting!
Nightlife has never sailed so far and so fast in all her 26+ years. 1st or 2nd will be a FANTASTIC achievement.
My thanks to you all for your comments. You have kept me busy with the editing but it has been fantastic to know that the crew has been so loved. Yesterday more than 250 people logged on!
My thanks also to Tom Chicken (TC to all who know) our IT guru who has further developed the site on the fly providing easy access to the leaderboard and other information. (Check out the Webcam link – you may see them cross sometime… something to do rather than biting your nails!!)
The next entry will be from the boat after they have arrived!!!
Karen x
