LAT 03 02.5N
LONG 108 26.9E
DTG BATAM 285
ETA BATAM 23 JAN 0600 LOCAL
COG 146 SOG 7

WEATHER Wind 031@6kts, Sea Calm, Swell Confused, Cloud 7/8, Baro 1006.0

Another day of motoring towards Batam and Singapore, and the first day we are able to publicise our positions as the piracy scare is over and the tracker should now be showing on http://www.clipperoundtheworld.com

As you will see from the tracker we are in company with DLD who finished the race in second place. All the yachts have now re-fuelled and are motoring towards Batam. Due to the MJO pattern there is still no wind in the South China Sea, and I think everybody is very relieved that the race committee made the decision to not re-start the race and instead let us make passage to Batam under engine. If this decision was not made we would still be drifting around in the Sula Sea.

Gold Coast are making the most of the calm and have been conducting lots of maintenance and cleaning. It is amazing how quickly mould can develop in a boat with this heat and humidity and we have been working hard today to eradicate every last sign of mould to prevent it spurring and any flare ups. Consequently the boat smells once again of my favourite smell in the world – miltons – the smell of clean and healthy institution!

The majority of maintenance is already done and we have started on our deep clean so when we arrive in port we can simply park the boat and enjoy Batam prior to heading to Singapore for the grand entry on the 28th.

It is amazing how much flotsam and Jetsam we have seen during the passage and occasionally we will pass “polystyrene foam tide lines” that are full of everything non-biodegradable that we humans use every day including water drinking bottles, fast food wrappers, polystyrene, and of course the dreaded plastic shopping bag.

There is also plenty of other life in the ocean around us including lots of sea snakes, sharks, dolphins and various species of fish. There appears to be a distinct lack of birds in the area, and thankfully no birds are trying to steal our wind vane anymore.

Every afternoon we stop for a swim and spend an hour checking the engine and machinery onboard before heading off again. A swim in the afternoon is definitely always a welcome relief after a hot day of working in the sun.

Another Win for Gold Coast Australia!

With the extension of the Cruise phase to Singapore due to lack of wind, I have had some time to work on my Class 40 campaign for 2013/14. Any contributions, advice or sponsorship opportunities would be greatly appreciated. A powerpoint presentation will be posted to
http://www.hewsonracing.com when I next have internet access, but for now a bit of a taster…..

This afternoon at approximately 1600 (0800 UTC) the decision was made by the race committee not to re-start race 7 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

As a result Gold Coast Australia has officially won Race 7 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race by 1 hour and 19 minutes picking up our 6th Yellow Pennant.

GCA will continue the remaining passage of 600nm to Singapore via Batam under axillary engine.

I would like to thank the other yachts in the race, particularly Derry (2nd) and Geraldton Australia (3rd) who sailed extremely well and made the race very close and exciting.

I would also like to thank all our family, friends and supporters for their support. The race from Gold Coast to the Celebs sea was certainly one of the most mentally challenging and frustrating races to date and the words of encouragement from so many people provided the inspiration required to stick to the game plan and win!

Richard Hewson
Gold Coast Australia

AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE!

Richard Hewson
Skipper Clipper Ventures
Master Class II
richhewson@gmail.com
UK +44(0)7826284815
AUS +61(0)416053204

Richard Hewson
Skipper Clipper Ventures
Master Class II
richhewson@gmail.com
UK +44(0)7826284815
AUS +61(0)416053204