In reference to the previous blog, it is safe to say we have been sufficiently ‘wind holed’. However, spirits are astronomically high on UNICEF of current.
The team has been super focused on helming, trimming, spotting wind shifts and reacting. We even managed our first ever kite peel this race, which Dan has been dreaming of since Newcastle.
A hot topic of discussion, is to get team tailored suits while in Vietnam. The idea feels to be migrating towards something that may actually happen. Fausto is advocating cyan blue, which is a questionable choice.
To all UNICEF wags who make it out to Nam early, please scout best place to make this happen!
Today we are celebrating our Equator Crossing, we have five crew who have become shellbacks: Liz, Simon, Charlie, Darek and Graham.
The ceremony involved a visit from Neptune, supported by his court. The polliwogs first had to dance their way along the foredeck, before being presented to Neptune who judged them worthy of becoming shellbacks. After that, they then crossed under the traveller symbolising the transition into the new group, and had a bucket of water thrown over them for good measure.
Much fun and laughter was had throughout the whole ceremony.
This is the last time we will cross the equator, the rest of our racing is all in the northern hemisphere another way point passed for the round-the-world crew, and this edition of the race.
Now, we turn our focus to getting to the scoring gate we are currently 1nm from Perseverance with Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, and Zhuhai close behind.
We look forward to a tough battle to see who will get there first.
Dan Laura and the UNICEF team.