100. Getting to Freemantle – the long way

‘Here we go again’ from Cape Town has proved to interesting to say the least. As most of you will know UNICEF had to divert after a few days sailing towards Freemantle and head for Durban. Unfortunately one of the crew developed suspected appendicitis. He has now be landed in Durban and is receiving appropriate hospital treatment. Another crew member had a bad fall- losing a couple of teeth into the ocean- he has also left the boat in Durban.

The boat has refuelled, victualled and is heading in the right direction.  The following is Keiths post from the boat on Race 4- Day5.(Some of its contents have been over taken by time and events but the thought  on support and family remain the same)

‘Here we go ….back to South Africa’

We really are one big UNICEF team family. Race crew afloat, those crew members who have already finished their Clipper Race adventure and those waiting expectantly for their adventure to begin. Our extended UNICEF team family includes ALL our families, friends and supporters, some who provide fantastic personal support including victualling and even helping out with sail repair during stopovers, and those whose support is geographically distant but just as strong and just as welcome. Today, some family plans are on hold as the UNICEF family team afloat does what it is really good at and looks after one of its own in need of help and support.

We are sailing back towards South Africa- in the general direction of Durban. a prudent measure to seek timely medical support for crew member Andrew Toms,  the details of his condition having been released by a  Clipper Race press release earlier today’. Andrew is comfortable and resting. Our onboard medical team of Skipper Ian, Holly, Anthonie and John are giving Andrew excellent care, ably supported by long range advice from PRAXES. We are in good shape and hope to rejoin the race to Australia just as soon as we can. But Andrew needs us to sail as safely, accurately and as fast as we always do, only this time not quite in the direction we had intended. But the family comes first. The Race will still be there when we turn around. We will be back’

Keith expresses so well how valuable all the support for the boat and everyone concerned with the boat is.

Now the boat is heading to Australia in the Southern Ocean. The  skipper’s blog  reports ‘ the forecast has  50knots in it , so we know the gusts will be significantly stronger and the sea state will build up quickly … Bring on the cold, the wet, the grey, the wet and the ice squalls. Ohh did I mention the wet!’

So getting to Australia will be a challenge with an expected twelve day heavy weather epic.

Here We go