Race 13 - Day 2
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Den Helder, Netherlands
19 July

Hi family; friends, former crew and supporters of ClipperTelemed+

Well after a disastrous start and another issue the next morning; we found ourselves at the back of the fleet. However fate and luck always play a part in these races and so they have had a hand in the last 24 hours. GREAT Britain call us the ' light wind specialists' and I'm starting to believe we could live up to their nickname - last night being at the back enabled us to see exactly where the rest of the fleet were heading and getting stuck and we managed to take a different route which has quite dramatically paid off and within the space of 18 hours we have gone from last to first. Wowsers!!

Pressure is now on.

To be honest; this is truly anyone's race and I am hoping PSP Logistics get their first podium - they haven't broken anything all race and that's amazing and it would be great for us both to podium.

Today even we have sunshine and we did get some views of the Scottish coastline; but now we have already seen our first oil rig in the North Sea. We have changed our schedule so we are preparing individual meals much like training; for a short race it enables us to maximise the crew; we are down to 17 now including our Skipper. We have plenty of meat and cakes to keep us going to Den Helder!

You may have seen that you can vote for our team for two awards - the Social Spirit Award sponsored by Stormhoek - but please say why; it’s not about numbers; and the Henri Lloyd Seamanship Award - which ClipperTelemed+ are up for and Alex Laline our crew member - please see the Henri Lloyd website for details and get voting - thanks for all your support thus far :)

So a huge thanks to the Clipper Race Maintenance team - these guys work tirelessly in port to ensure we are fit to sail; provide a great sense of humour and camaraderie and generally put up with our list of defects and other issues - these guys deserve a spirit award; I’m sure the other boats would agree. They have lifted our spirits when we were last or our mast track broke for the sixth time and stayed late to help us fix items and provide hugs and stories; so we didn’t think we were the worst boat in the history of the race. I know Stormhoek read these blogs; so I would like to call upon them to recognise this team. Keep watching the LGB; we'll be trying our best to podium again!

Remember we are striving for 5th place overall - if you are coming to London and would like to join us on the final placings podium; please wear Telemed kit :)

Shout outs:

To Mark; Paul and Leigh - the BMF gang - look forward to seeing you in Reading v soon; catching up, drinking too much and dancing the night away - Ryan

Happy birthday to big brother Jordan love from Linda

To mum and dad - keep the emails coming; to my sister Gina - see you v soon - Alex xx

To Helen and Zachary - nearly time for my return; good luck coordinating events :)

To Sharon - huge hug xx Elaine

Thanks,

Elaine xx