Race 12 - Day 15
Crew Diary - New York, USA to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland
05 July

Helen Hancorn
Helen Hancorn
Team Qingdao
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You will have noticed the diaries have not been written every day. Our crew computer in the galley is not working so we have to write the diary from the nav station which as you can probably imagine is rather busy so it not only finding time to write the diary it’s also finding a slot when the nav station is free.

Sophie, Caroline and myself have been busy over the last few days repairing the spinnakers. We worked out that the Code 1 took us 30 man hours with 3 of us to patch and sew on the machine. We were so proud when it was hoisted up on deck, I even took a photo of me pointing to it with the patches smiling back at us in the breeze! But sadly after 2 hours of flying it went pop! Not a wrap, no fault of the helm and not even on one of our sturdy repaired patch. It just decided to go pop and leave a lovely tear from head to clue.

So back into repair it is. I noticed the sewing machine has 'Grace' written on it, I asked why this was and Sophie told me the story that Lindsey (Legs 4-7) named the machine after reading a good book that had a lady called Grace in it that used to machine. Hi Lindsey, missing you on the boat.

On Monday 4th July we saw land (Ireland) and as we got closer we were able to get mobile reception. All the crew rushed to get their phones to text email and make calls to friends and family. I managed to talk to three of my children Jodie, Connor and Dana, and Facetime my grandchildren Freya and Joey which made my day. After being at sea for 14 days with no communication with the outside world it was a special moment. Can’t wait to get into London and see the family. On 2nd July it was Janes 50th Birthday. Sophie designed the banner which Jimmy drew whilst Sarah baked the cake. I am sure it will be a birthday she won’t forget!

Hi to Doreen and Michael (my mother and father in law) look forward to seeing you in London and Hi to Tracy and Paul and Lucie can’t wait to see you in Derry for a drink or two! xxx

Helen Hancorn

Legs 5 & 8