Click here for articles in the Media

Update

 

A new world record - Fastest Solo Circumnavigation of Australia

SOS Ocean Racing, skippered by Ian Thomson from Airlie Beach, crossed the finish line off the Whitsunday Sailing club after 42d:5h:30m:2s to set the worlds fastest solo circumnavigation of Australia. It has been a remarkable journey and has taken some 26d:2h:29m:58 seconds off the previous record.

Whilst Ian's record is not non stop and unassisted, it is still a great achievement and only 2 other boats in the world have been around Australia faster, a 110ft Trimaran called Geronimo who holds the outright record and Kaz, sailed by Sailors with Disabilites who holds the monohull record. Both were crewed. There are several boats that have been around with two people or crew that have gone around in slower times as well which highlights Ian's achievement.

Immediately after the finish Ian was joined by his mum and friends on board SOS Ocean Racing and the celebrations began. Lots of boats from the local sailing fleet sailed past Ian to congratulate him and then the evening at the Whitsunday Sailing Club saw Ian speak about his journey and tell stories of highlights and low lights.

The highlight Ian said was sailing home into the waters of the Whitsundays. "It has been a lonely journey and I have realised that life is too short to spend massive amounts of time on your own" When asked about the low points "Defintely off Bunbury. Many would think it was when I pulled the pin on the non stop and unassisted record in Sydney but off Bunbury was a very hard time. I found myself questioning whether it would be more comfortable in a liferaft than the boat, until I eventually stuck my head outside and realised I liked the boat option better"

Ian spoke to the crowd at the Whitsunday Sailing club thanking them immensely for their support throughout the journey and then proceeded to talk about fixing our plastic problem. Ian's campaign has not just been about sailing. It has been to raise awareness of the damage plastic bags do to our environment. Ian spoke of the need to reduce the number of plastic bags we use and also about any plastic saying we need to decrease the number of pieces of plastic in the ocean, there is believed to be 46,000 piece in every square mile he stated"

The Future

When asked about what is next Ian announced several plans. "First of all I want to form the Save Our Seas Foundation Australia as a non profit organisation. The marine industry does not have a real charity it supports so the SOS Foundation would be great as it cleans up the oceans and waterways we all use daily. The foundation will work on the principle of the 3 A's. Awareness - I will continue to create awareness of the problem, Alternatives - I will promote the alternatives to plastic bags and plastic products and finally Action - we will help clean up the problem by creating days to clean up our oceans and beaches, support Clean Up Australia Day and other initiatives that do clean up. We will also teach our next generation of the issues plastics cause."

He then went on to announce that in May 2011 he will go around again, but with a crew, to try and claim the monohull record from Kaz. "I hope to gain access to a boat between 60 & 80 ft and put together a crew from the Whitsunday Sailing Club to go and have a crack at the monohull record. I know I could have got it this year had everything gone right but next year we will have another go and see what it will be like with crew."

More details of Ian's plans will be launched here in the coming weeks so keep an eye out here for latest plans.

Day 43 - Arrival Day

It is the final morning, I am just 45nm out from the finish and am in cruise mode. Last night I travelled well wide of the shipping off Mackay and outside most of the islands to stay clear, don't want to run into anything, so close. It was a good windy night and I have covered a lot of ground so it makes today very cruisy.

The plans are simple, I am going to sail to the top of Lindeman Island, across the top of Pentecost Island and into the Whitsunday Passage. I will sail to the top of Long Island and then chase a couple of charter boats with friends on them coming out of Airlie at 1300. I will then wait for the call from mum to say she is on a boat and head to the finish at approximately 1600. Live video streaming will begin around 1500 right through till the end and probably a bit of the celebrations.

I am very relaxed this morning, had a great night of sleep and ready to finish this off. Just spoke with Sail-world and had my final interview with them, at 0820 I will speak with Zinc FM's Scotty & Teagues for their Breakfast show and then I will have a shower, a shave and clean up a little so that I am in respectable shape to meet the people.

Am I excited, how can I not be. Was just told that an open 60 took longer than me to circumnavigate and it had two people on it, my achievment is incredible, the boat has been great and with an extra bit of budget, this could have been even quicker but hey, very happy with what I am about to achieve.

Can't wait to see mum and my friends, that is the bit I am looking forward to most.

And finally, GO THE MAROONS.

Day 42 - Close to home

The end is so close right now. I am off the coast of Yeppoon and hence only 225nm to go. I have 20-25 knots behind me still driving me at 8's easily so home tomorrow afternoon for sure, barring breakages of course.

Interesting night, broke the running backstay where it ataches to the boat on port side in a massive crash jibe, just a piece of rope so an easy fix, then did an impellor on the engine, 2nd one for the trip so there is an issue there and finally, woke up this morning and my right elbow is growing to the size of a footy, no idea why so taken some anti-biotics and hopefully that will decrease it's size.

Also whilst writing on facebook a wave came right up the cockpit and into the cabin so a bit of wetness around. So not all smooth sailing but hey, so close to home now it doesn't bother me as much. I know tomorrow afternoon I will be enjoying a beer on dry land, will be sleeping an uninterrupted sleep and having cold milk for breakfast the next day, simple things you take for granted on land.

My arrival is going to be a set time. Jessica Watson waitied offshore for three days so she could arrive on a Saturday to maximise coverage, me on the otherhand am waiting for my mum. Mum arrive at 1330 at Prossy airport, she will be picked up and taken straight to a boat and then come out on the water to see me in.

I WILL BE FINISHING AT 1600 or as close to it as possible. This enables the Whitsunday Sailing Club fleet that races on a Wednesday afternoon to see me in and then go racing whilst I pack up, shower up and head to the WSC for the evening to celebrate. SO if you are in Airlie tomorrow then come to the Sailing Club to help celebrate my achievement.

Day 41 - Flying up Fraser

SOS Ocean Racing is flying towards the finish this morning and is off the coast of Australia's big Sand Castle, Fraser Island this morning.

With less less than 400nm to go Ian Thomson is expected to make it home sometime late on Wednesday, in time for State of Origin which makes him very happy. He will still need the winds to hold out in order to achieve this but it is looking highly likley.

Yesterday Ian crossed into Queesnland and made his way past the Gold Coast where a mate visited him in his boat. He delivered a pizza, a hamburger and the paper. Ian said 'Well the record for unassisted is over so may as well take some luxuries when I can' He then fired off towards Cape Moreton passing about midnight and is currently south of Indian Head.

Ian knows this stretch of water extremely well having done 6 Brisbane to Gladstone's, 2 Brisbane to Keppels and plenty of deliveries so it feels like home. It is also warmer, especially at nights. The thermals have come off and it is just wet weather gear as the winds are on the beam at 25 knots.

So the party is waiting in anticipation of Ian reaching Airlie Beach, his home town. To celebrate with Ian make your way to the Whitsunday Sailing Club, that is where it will all happen either Wednesday night or worse case scenario Thursday. Ian will dock at Meridian Marina's Able Point Marina and there will be boats available to go out and greet Ian, just contact the Whitsunday Sailing Club for details.

Day 40 - Nearing QLD

Yes that's right, whilst I am off the coast of Ballina, the distance to go is the same as a Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. 628nm to home. I am flying once again and have been most of the night with the wind back to the SW and hence I am not square downwind. I have the headsail out a little whilst under auto-pilot in 20 knots but as soon as I am at the helm the whole headsail will be out and I will drive it hard to QLD waters which are not hat far off.

Cape Byron is the next step in the journey and it is less than 15nm away and that marks the Eastern Point of the route, then it is back to the NW a little towards home.

The phospheresence off the boat last night was awesome as I flew past Coffs and Yamba. Not as cold either, must be getting close to QLD.

I am excited this morning, being so close to QLD, is so cool and not far from home. Going back to the helm, enjoying the ride at present.

Day 38 - on my way again

I have just sailed out of Sydney heads and heading towards Port Stephens. Winds are perfect from the west and I am cruising between 7-8 knots. I hope to be in Airlie somethime late Wednesday if I have a dream run but most probably Thursday sometime. Looking forward to getting home.

I want to thank Ferguson's Marina for their hospitality whilst I was there, to James Young who is an absolute legend for what he has done for me in putting me up and driving me around etc, to OMS who did the work on my engine and finally to Andrew Short Marine who towed me in. Thank you to you all, you have helped me out of sight. If in Airlie I hope to repay the favours.

Day 37 - Repairs day

After a steak and a good sleep, I am ready to repair the boat. Here is the story as to what stopped me.

Coming out of Bass Strait I broke a belt on the engine that drives my alternator. I replaced with with the spare I had on the boat. I would be unheard of to break two belts in 40 days I had thought so only had one spare. Well the replacement lasted just 2 hours of run time and hence no belt. So I made up a Spectra (Hig strength, no stretch rope) version and it was turning the water pump and alternator so it should have been doing the job however there was no charge coming out of the alternator at all. I checked everything I know of and then swapped it over to my spare alternator and it too was not producing a charge which left me stumped. I have no idea why this is happening so hence I had no charging ability of my batteries.

I had tried to use just the solar panel by shutting down the inverter and hence my computer, I even shut down the chartplotter and just left the main instruments working. At times during the day when helming I even shut them down so there was no power being used at all. I would occassionally turn on the GPS unit to check position as I was plotting by charts and it is hard to work out currents etc. So it was just a checking system.

On the night before my Sydney arrival the power supply just kept dropping and by the morning I had under 11 volts which meant even the navigation systems were not operating properly. So I headed to Sydney. Originally I was going to get assistance but not do an official stop. But then I decided that in my own head, I have actually stopped anyway, in Bunbury and now here and it is safer to complete the circumnavigation with the boat operating properly rather than risk the boat and myself and other water users.

At the end of the day my decision was really tough but I am a professional skipper. I hold a commercial license. With all due respect for Jessica Watson as I highly respect what she did having spent 5 weeks alone at sea, if I ran into a ship on the way up the coast, my career is over and I would face charges as I know better. The whole thing about solo sailing is it actually breaks the law in the fact the number 1 rule of going to sea is that you have to have someone on watch at all times. Being solo you can't do that. You rely on electronics to keep watch for you and set off alarms etc. Without power I did not have this and hence it was an unsafe risk to continue. It is prudent seamanship to seek assistance and hence I did make the decision to pull in.

I have to thank Matt Short from Andrew Short Marine and James Young from Merit Sailing whoc came out to tow me into Ferguson's Marina in Middle Harbour. James came onboard and was very hesitant as he knew that as soon as he stood onboard the record was over but it had to be done so I grabbed his hand and pulled him onboard. OMD are coming down today to fix the charging system so I have to thank them as well.

I will not fix the main however I will fix the A5 spinnaker so I have that for the journey home. I will also dry the boat out a little, there is water in the aft sections of the boat so I will empty them out. I will do a general clean up and make sure all systems are working before departing hopefully tomorrow.

I also want to make it clear that one of the recent articles said the GPS failed. This is not entirely correct, it failed as it was not getting power. This is not an issue with the GPS. Also the auto-pilot failures have all been to do with that RAM that failed up near Darwin. This is not a Furuno component. The Furuno gear has been great. The RAM is another popular marine brand and is proving to be the worst part of my systems onboard. It will make it home but only with constant attention. I will rebuild it for the umpteenth time today and hope it makes it home without attention but that would be very lucky. I wish I had used another type of ram but can't afford it right now.

So there you have it, ready to fix the boat and get going. I think it will be hard to leave here but I need to get home and that will be motivation enough to push off as soon as I can, apart from the fact the weather is perfect right now with big SW to drive me up the coast. So hopefully out of here tomorrow morning first thing and in Airlie within a week.

I will then claim the fastest solo circumnavigation of Australia, albeit without non stop or unassisted like I had planned. I believe it is still a major achievement in my life to be able to say I have sailed around Australia solo. However it will be the end of my solo career, I will be sailing with crew from now on.

Day 36 - A Sydney Stop

What a massive decision to make. I have had to stop in Sydney and seek assistance and have made an official stop. Hence any world record will not be able to contain the words unassisted or non stop. It will however still be the fastes circumnavigation in history and that is the only goal I can have left from this trip.

I am at a friends place, have just had a shower and am heading out for a steak. I will update this in more detail tomorrow morning. I am in surprisngly high spirits,

Day 34 - 7th June 1045 - I can see Mainland Australia

SOS Ocean Racing has successfully crossed Bass Strait and has just seen Mainland Australia near the NSW/Victoria Border. It was a tough crossing of Bass Strait for Ian Thomson as the wind was 20-30 and the swells were all over the place. However it was more the fact his auto-pilot was playing up again that made it difficult and very little sleep has been had.

Speaking with Ian this morning he said "I am tired but relieved to see mainland Australia. It is a security blanket to know a safe port is never far away and I have that all the way home now. It is especially important with my Auto-pilot issues as I could, if need be, do without it now and hand steer from port to port and make it home that way. I have some 30+ days to cover 1200nm to break the world record so slow and steady will win the race now."

Ian is trying to break 68d:8h:30 minutes set by David Beard and is currently looking at finishing in 40-42 days total, hence smashing the existing record. However in order to break the world record he must finish and this morning was a trying time when a belt broke on his engine and the replacement was found to be slightly too large. 'Couldn't believe it, found the spare and it was slightly too large. I have had to space out the pulley system with self amalgamating tape to make it fit and it is working so hopefully that will allow me to get home otherwise I am on the solar power only and that will take out a lot of my electonics which I rely on to navigate. But fingers crossed I don't need to go to that extent." Ian said this morning.

Meanwhile he is in regular contact with Zinc FM in Mackay & Whitsundays. Scotty and Teagues call Ian every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 0815 & 0830 to discuss where he is. Tune in if you are in the area or through the internet if you aren't.

Day 33 6th June 0600 - Heading into Bass Strait

Today I will enter Bass Strait in a 20-30 knots southerly. It has been a good 24 hours up the Tassy coast. It might not sound to racey but I am travelling under just my 3rd reefed main at present and have done so for 12 hours. It is still giving me an average of around 8 knots so no need for more and with the wind from directly behind it allows me to run very square.

I need tot ake it easy as I head across the strait to ensure I make it to the end. That is my goal now, I am so far in front of the record that I just need to make it in one piece. Not easy for me to sail conservastively but something I am learning.

I hope to be across Bass Strait by Monday evening and then it is expected to lighten up on the NSW coast line. By the 9th I should be moving again and that wind should take me all the way home.

It was cold last night too, just 0 degrees in Launceston so out here probably worse. But I'm heading north quickly which gives me encouragment.

Check out the gallery, I have started to put photos up, first 6 days are there already.

Day 32 5th June 0900 - Heading North to Warmer waters

SOS Ocean Racing has rounded the southern tip of Tasmania this morning and is heading north back to Airlie Beach. In the early hours of the evening Ian Thomson rounded SE Cape and hence rounded the last official mark of the WSSRC course in his solo circumnavigation of Australia.

On rounding the cape in the early hours of the evening Ian was becalmed for 5-6 hours before the expected southerly front arrived at 0730 with 20 knots meaning the boat is now back up to speed and is heading across Storm Bay to Tasman Island before heading pretty much due north to Sydney.

Having done a Sydney to Hobart but never a delivery the other way, Ian is excited to cross Bass Strait with the wind behind him and the expected 20-30 knots is likely to last at least to Sydney meaning a fast passage after a slow Southern Ocean Stint where the winds never really happened the way it usually does.

Ian said this morning, "It is bitterly cold and raining so heading north to warmer waters is a very good thing. With this wind I should be able to keep up a good pace and be back on the eastern seaboard of the mainland in 2-3 days and in Sydney region in 3-4 days. From there it is coast hoping all the way up to Airlie Beach."

Without a spinnaker Ian is happy that the winds are in and he doesn't need them to keep a good pace "Having damaged both my medium wind spinnakers it is nice to see a forecast of wind as I will need it to get up the coast quickly. I trawled the A3 and there is still a small part of it under the boat wrapped around the keel or prop but it is not slowing me down. The A5 just tore and I think I might be able to fix it but only if I need it, right now I don't as the winds are at 20 knots and the boat is doing 8-10 knots and that is fine by me. I am so far advanced on the record it is only a matter of making it now to set a new world record so taking it a little easy is not an issue."

Day 30 3rd of June 0850

It is day 30 and I am currently located only 200 nautical miles away from Tasmania. 

Yesterday the wind was stead gusting around 10 knots, with the A3 spinnaker up all day and night, this helped me cover more ground. I’m hoping to be at Tasmania by tomorrow afternoon, as a cold front will be coming through later that evening.

I did have an interesting evening night though, I managed to wrap the spinnaker around the forestay twice, but this was easily dealt with as the winds where not strong! Although I did end up wrapping it around the sock line, which is the bag the spinnaker lives in. So it is currently sitting inside the cabin and I have decided I will deal with it later after I have had more sleep.

Day 29 - 2nd June 0940 - Under 2000nm to the finish

I have travelled almost 30 days now and still expect to back in the Whitsunday in around 40 days. With winds gusting to round 15 knots and cruising around 8 to 9 knots with the A3 spinnaker, I only have 340 nautical miles to the bottom of Tasmania.

With less than 2000 nautical mile to the finish line, I have been averaging 170nm each day unlike the 200nm I was at the start.
I’m hoping that once I get around Tassie I can do more work on my mainsail.

Over night the winds shifted from a NW to a SW, making me jybe to the south, though I expect the wind may shift back. I’m currently cruising around 7 knots, 180nm SSW of Cape Nelson

Each night is chillier! I have everything closed up and sleep under a very big doona, I just find it hard to get up every half hour to check the sails.

I have not seen any fishing boats lately, but expect to see more once I gets closer to the coast. As for wildlife, the only things I have been seeing are birds.

There was a spectacle last night though; as I left the cabin to jybe the boat I noticed that the sky was crystal clear, with only stars in the sky! It was an amazing view, I could see my whole rudder through the water.

Day 28 - 1st June 1045 - Finally the wind is back!

I am now 28 days in and two thirds of the way to through the Southern Ocean. The winds have increased today currently gusting between 15 to 20 knots, which means I has started seeing the real side to the Southern Ocean. I may be covering more ground but also have to go through much bigger waves.

In the next few days I should round the bottom of Tasmania and will start heading back north, I look forward to rounding Tassie because it means I will not only have 1624 nautical miles to go but also the weather will start to getting warmer!

I am currently located at 200nm WSW of Cape Nelson, with around 2080nm to the finish, which puts me two thirds of the way to the finish line. I'm aiming is to be back under 40 days! I've been cruising 12 to 7 knots today and expecting to round the bottom of Tasmania later this week.

Day 27 - May 31st 1030 - Stil stuck in the Southern Ocean

At this stage I’m is not quite sure what the weather is doing, I feel like the Southern Ocean has still not shown its face and I am a little worried that with the light winds a storm is brewing up!

With winds only gusting up to 12 knots my progress has been slow, yesterday I only covered 125 nm.

I still have 700 nm to reach the bottom of Tasmania, which currently puts me half way through the Southern Ocean.

I am a little concerned about not finishing under 40 days, as I will have to go on reserved food (two minutes noodles). I am keen to get home, I have plenty of water, but I’m really not looking forward to the food.

The only problem besides water getting in the boat for me is the port rudder. It has been moving around a bit and not making the most pleasant bumping noise. It not something I can look at while I am still in the Southern Ocean so I’m hoping it will service.

I would also like to do a shout out to Jamie Dunross who is currently located in Airlie Beach and hope he is enjoying himself. Jamie wants to become the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail around the world single handed and unassisted. I hope I can catch up with him as I feel what he is doing is amazing, so check him out solo1.com.au

Day 26 - May 30th 1130

The Southern Ocean has not been what I expecting!

I feel like I am going nowhere, in a time period of 24 hours I only traveled a total of 88 nautical miles! I’m finding it quite frustrating.

I am stuck in the middle of a high-pressure system and am only cruising at around 5 to 7 knots. I assume I will now be rounding the bottom of Tasmania by Thursday morning.

Day 25 - May 29th 0930

Every few hours I find myself removing around 10 litres for water, just to keep the boat dry, still not quite sure where it coming from.

I did have a bit of a scare last night with my computer. The inverter that allows me to continue running the boat from the inside of the cabin, failed to work. After trying to figure out the problem, I left it for a while and once I retuned it started to work again. A big relief for me.

Currently located 500nm from Adelaide, 800nm from Melbourne and under 1000nm from Tasmania, It is making me feels like I am in the middle of know where.

Day 24 - May 28th 1040

Yesterday was exactly what I expected!

I was sitting in the cockpit at one stage when I wind completely glassed out for around 3 hours, although I did find it quite pleasant.

As the wind picked up it switched to a SW. After dark I experienced my first Southern Ocean Storm. With winds up to 35knots, it was a very interesting feeling for me as I had read about it, but never experienced one myself. To be honest it was very intimidating for me and also that I am so far from land.

I had the adrenaline pumping and my heart racing, never knowing what the Southern Ocean will do, I did not have the best sleep.

Day 23 - May 27th Not what you would expect

I am now 23 days in and well on my way to Tasmania. With yesterday’s perfect day of sailing, it was not exactly what I was expecting for the Southern Ocean. With winds gusting between 15 to 23 knots, clear skies, I was having a very good day of sailing.

Over nigh the winds started to ease off very slowly to round about 10 to 15knots. Getting lighter as predicted, with new winds coming from the south. The weather has been rather good, with water temperatures around 15.5 degrees and clear skies it has given me a chance to continue to take water out of the boat. Removing about 60 to 70 liters yesterday just out of compartments.

Day 22 - May 26th 3000nm to go

Only 3,000 nm to go as I pass under Albany WA this morning in 20-25 knots and surfing along at 10 knots consistently now. Should be able to keep pace today before a light day tomorrow and then it should be O.K right through to Tassie.

Last night the pin on my auto-pilot holding the ram to the tiller snapped at the weld. Had a plan in mind so not a major but the new pin looks remarkably like a drill bit piece. It is doing the job, touch wood, and hopefully will get us home to Airlie.

Had another interview with Mackay & the Whitsundays Zinc FM this morning. They will be talking with me every Mon/Wed & Fri till I get back. Good to get local coverage.

Well I'm going to have another nap before hitting the day, still dark here being in the west.

Day 21 - May 25th Into the Southern Ocean

Well I am officially in the Southern Ocean. The West coast was not good to me so I hope the South Coast is kinder. I am directly SE of Cape Leeuwin, one of the worlds three stormy capes. The weather is 10-12knot northerly so it is pleasant cruising, not really setting the world on fire with pace but cruisy, happy to be this way with the forecast ahead for a lot more wind so a lot more work. Next waypoint is off the bottom of Tassy some 1500nm away so probably about 7-8 days time. A long time in the cold.

All is good on the boat at present and Doyle have been in touch to offer me a great deal on a new main so that is awesome. However it mast be said it is not their foault the main is falling apart, it was not really built for this stuff, it was built light and it was not stored properly in humid conditions so the fact they will help me out shows their support of our cause. No good to me out here though but will be good to have for the Airlie and Hamilton Island Race weeks.

Day 20 - May 24th Departing Bunbury

Well I have spent the night sleeping, 13 hours in total since arriving. Feel good. Done engine repair, easy fix for now. Sail repair this morning, could only fix top, there is a section between 2md and 3rd reef that is totally cactus so I am going to have just a 3rd reefed main for the entire journey home. Not too much of an issue except when flying spinnakers, so much over the top of the sail so have to be careful of that. Full headsail and spinnaker wardrobe will allow me to come home.

So I am coming home, just a little slower than I would like but I am coming home.

About to leave Bunbury but it has glassed out, will wait an hour and see what happens, as soon as there is a breeze, I'll pick up the anchor and head out on my way to the cape.

Been great to catch up with everyone online over the last 24 hours but now it is time to get back to it.

Day 19 - May 23rd Pitstop in Bunbury

Well it is not often in a world record you find the boat under anchor but that is what I was doing today and probably tomorrow.  With such an advance on the record and with the regulations allowing you to go under anchor as long as you don't seek outside help, use your engine or go ashore, I have taken the opportunity to stop in at Bunbury for a few days to do some maintenance on the boat before the southern ocean.

Yesterday I was getting hammered by a 30-40 SW wind which swung to the south preventing me from sailing at Cape Leeuwin.  Sailing upwind in gusts up to 45 knots meant the main was put into a 3rd reef however it was fluttering badly and has delaminated in a few spots.  In addition the engine, used for charging the batteries, has thrown all it's coolant out, a result of heeling over too much.  So I was using today to catch up on some sleep, none last night at all, and has already fixed the engine and charged my batteries.  After a sleep and some warm food he will attack the sail. 

The main issue right now is the mainsail which is looking very secondhand.  I will use the patches and sticky back I have to do what I can. I don't think it will be looking too good when I get back to Airlie, as far as record pace is concerned, I have so much time up my sleeve so this is not an issue.  I could effectively stop every night and still make the time but I hope this is the only stop on my way to Airlie hopefully within 3 weeks.  I’m officially half way and am looking good to claim the record if the winds hold good and the boat makes it.

Day 18 - 0900 May 22nd What a difference a day makes

Only 18 days in and not only have things got interesting but also intense. 

Yesterday I was sitting in the cockpit at one stage just in my shorts on my beanbag, reading a book in the sunshine, glorious sailing with virtually no wind at all. 

This morning the thermals have came out, over night sailed into the low-pressure system with gusts at one stage up to 40 to 45 knots and a second reef in the main. Hitting my record pass at 23.4knots, absolutely flying on mountains of water. 

The autopilot did an awesome job most of the night, although I did sail through the bulk of the storm. Winds now back down to 20 knots, with squalls still coming through at times. Sitting in my full thermals, boots, wet weather gear and it is bitterly cold outside. 

I am currently 200 nm from Cape Leeuwin, so still as expected I should reach the Southern Ocean some time tomorrow.

There should be enough wind to carry me through tomorrow. 

A little water got in the boat last nigh, through the mask, but nothing unexpected. The weather looks it will be the same for around 10 days, I'm not expect to see too many sunrises or sunsets throughout those days.

Day 17 - 0930 May 21st Into my third week

Currently cruising 6 knots around 250nm NW off Perth, I am hoping to pass Cape Leeuwin by Sunday morning, which is reported as one of the 3 stormiest capes of the world. 

This will then put me into the Southern Ocean, which I have spent the last few days prepping the boat for, checking everything and putting things away.

Now with a very frustration day of only sailing 98nm behind me I look forward to the wind building up.

Day 16 - 1025 May 20th A very hard 24 hours

Now into the third week and things have been a little tough. It has been a hard 24 hours in a SE upwind slog. I have been waiting for hours for a SW to come in. Lately all I have been doing is zigzagging, working my way past Mystery Beach that should be the most Westerly point of my journey.

With a boat that is designed to go down wind and currently sailing upwind, Its never fun!

I have been heading inland so I can get behind the islands and get out of the swells.

Although the weather has cleared slightly, with the sun out for a change all I have to do is cope with the very rough seas.

Day 14 - 0900 May 18th

I has been flying down the coast of Western Australia making great ground whilst the wind is blowing hard from behind.  With gusts up to 35 knots yesterday, the Welbourn 12m which is designed to go downwind is reveling in the conditions and even with only a 2nd reef in the main up she is still travelling faster than 8 knots and hence 200+nm days every day. 

The thing right now is to control myself.  The boat so much more pace to burn but I don't want to break it.  There isn't a world record for going half way around Australia, I need to finish to break this world record which I am now 14 days ahead of already.

I was off the coast of Ningaloo Reef this morning and I was hoping to catch up with a friend who works on the Whale Shark boats but got their too early and will miss him as their boats aren't coming out anyway due to the bad weather.  So I had a good chat and moved on.  I am now lower in the Latitudes than I started and hence is now starting to feel colder weather.  Last night it was just 9 degrees so the cold weather gear is starting to come out.

The weather ahead is a little all over the place but it can be said that I will be heading into the wind most of the way to Cape Leeuwin, now just 1,000nm away, the gateway to the southern ocean.

The boat is holding together O.K however this morning the check stay snapped it's strap which Ian replaced straight away, just little maintenance issues going on all the time.

Having spent the night dodging oil rigs, I am now on the lookout for Whale Sharks as heads towards Perth. 

Day 13 - 0905 May 17th

I am still cruising with the second reef in the main, I’ve got the headsail out occasionally just to make the boat more comfortable, currently it is a third of the way out.

I’m off the coast of Dampier, which means that I am amongst all the oilrigs.

After yesterdays fall, the gash on my wrist is much better.’

The seas today are calmer with winds around 20-25 knots E, I am cruising between 8 to 9 knots. I am 75 nm away from the Montebello Islands, so i should pass Exmouth tomorrow.

Day 12 - 0905 May 16th

There is only one word I think of to describe yesterday ‘tough!’

So far it has been better then yesterday. There is only one word I think of to describe yesterday ‘tough!’

The sea state of yesterday was all over the place, the winds kept shifting and there was three different swells all combining together. Which made it very sloppy sailing, whilst poring with rain.

At one stage the boat went into a jibe and broke a block off the boom gange, ripping it straight out of the preventer stop. As I went get the block of the rail I found it a heap of twisted metal. While I was replacing the block, I fell off and landed wrist first back on the boat. Which gave me a 2cm gash on my wrist, if I was on land I would probably need stitches.

Today I am sailing a bit slower, winds around 20-30 knot SE, sitting at 8 to 9 knots with the 2^nd reef in the main. My next rounding mark is the Montebello Islands only 270 nautical miles away. I should pass Exmouth by Tuesday.

At this stage my tracker is playing up due to the lack of satellites in the area, it should be back shortly.

Day 11 - 0900 May 15th

Interesting would be an understatement for last nights events.’

Everything this morning had been smooth sailing, although yesterday evening is a different story. At around 8pm I attempted to avoid a low-pressure system, though I still managed to go straight through it. After dark the rainsqualls came through and I decided to put the first reef in the main. Sailing along very well doing 14 to 15 knots, out of nowhere the winds dies to nothing. With the sail flopping everywhere (whilst poring with rain), the wind finally pick up again. 

After everything seemed to calm down I went to get some sleep, after only 20 minutes in the wind shifts putting the boat into a jibe. Winds flying at 30 knots while still poring with rain, I knew it was going to be a long evening.

Day 10 - 0905 May 14th

I am currently located at 270nm NNE of Broome, with around 4700nm to the finish.

Cruising under the spinnaker around 8 to 10 knots, winds ranging from 10 to 15 knots. I will be slightly heading further North before heading west down to Broome, as I am starting to pick up the Western Australian current.

Ian commented this morning at 0900, ‘Every thing on the boat is going well, besides no more fresh food on the boat besides fruit. The magnificent sunrise this morning did make up for a bit of that.

I’m expecting the winds in next 24 hours to be good, but the following 24 hours will not. I’m anticipating a bit of a roadblock ahead, so as l sail past Broome I will be making pretty slow progress.

Day 9 - 0910 May 13th

Nine days in and already less then 5000nm to the finish.

It has been all smooth sailing the last few hours, cruising at about 8 knots. I’ve had the mainsail up all night, taken down the A3 Spinnaker at 9pm. The autopilot is sound for now (touch wood).

I'm around 200nm west of Darwin, placing me now in Western Australia making my way down to Broome. I am hopeful to catch up with a friend Onno of the coast of Exmouth. Onno intends to be on a whale watching boat as I pass.

Day 8 - 0950 May 12th

SOS Ocean Racing is back up to speed after a slow night off the northern tip of Melville Island in the Northern Territory.  With the wind backing off to as little as 5 knots, the overall speed for the day dropped.  However the record attempt is way ahead of pace on the old record and it was easily afforded and skipper I used the time to complete some maintenance issues that were hounding me.  With 7 days down and 1,455nm into the record, I'm is already over 700nm in front of the record pace for the 6,545nm course. 

I may be off to a flyer but most record attempts do as they choose the weather to depart in.  The trick is to get down the west coast and across the bottom in one piece, something that is not going to be as easy as I thought.
I was referring to some issues I had with his auto-pilot, however last night I spent half an hour hove to fixing things and hopefully they are all good.

This morning I woke up to a beautiful sunset and a call from ABC Darwin asking about the record attempt and the cause.  I took great pride in telling them about the world record for sailing non stop solo around Australia and why we need to get rid of plastic bags. 
I also explained how I wants to campaign the government on changing legislation to at least get rid of non-degradable bags.  A survey in on the home page, it lets you have your say and statistics will be used to campaign local state and federal governments. 

Day 7 - 0900 May 11th

Yesterday was smooth sailing all day, I had the A3 spinnaker up and was sitting at about 8 to 10 knots. I got to relax and watch a beautiful sunset while listening to the squalls. I kept the spinnaker up all night, as I’ve been pushing to do 200 nautical miles per day.

After a little sleep I woke this morning only to find that the spinnaker had wrapped it self around the forestay nice and tight, so I was not really moving at all.

The last time this happened it was in the Sydney to Southport Yacht Race, even with 6 crew on the board, they could not get it unwrapped and just simply shredded the sail.

After one hour of trying to unwrap it, I amazingly got it undone with no damage and this of course made me very happy.

While I was still on autopilot, I put the spinnaker away and replaced it with the headsail. As I attempted to tidy up, the boat decided to do a full 360 jibe on me.

Which I then discovered that the tiller extension had jammed on the floor, so the autopilot could not turn the boat. It was becoming a very entertaining morning.

After I cleaned and rounded up the boat the autopilot then began to beep, this is when I realized that the drive unit had failed. After re-building the ram I comprehend that this would have been my first pit stop.

So in a time period of 3 hours this morning all before 6am I had gone through emoting from devastated to excited then all over again.

I’m back to smooth sailing now and I will be cruising a bit more from now on. I think I have to stop pushing the boat as much or I might possibly break it.

Tomorrow morning at 0640 Northern Territory time I will be broadcasting with a live interview on ABC Radio Darwin, turn in if you can.

Day 6 - 1030 May 10th

The winds have died down a bit to 10 to 15 knots so just calm sailing at the moment.

Last night was a bit taxing, the wind was constantly changing direction and speed so it was not an easy sleeping night. I have passed the Gulf of Carpentaria and I’m now well into the Northern Territory.

Darwin is round 350 nautical miles away and after I pass I will start to head south.

Day 5 - 0915 May 9th

I’m currently sailing through the Gulf of Carpentaria, about third of the way across. Round about 580 miles to Darwin. The wind has died down a bit to 15 to 20 knots, so I’m cruising now at 8 knots. Sailing with the full main and headsail today.

I had a good sleep last night after yesterday and today I am just doing a bit of housekeeping. I’ve tidied up the cabin, cockpit and even myself.

Day 4 - 2215 May 8th

I’m into Arafura, at 2130 last night I cleared the final marker and now I am out into the deep blue again. Although it isn’t that deep up here.

 The winding maze had a few more obstacles in the way in the form of trees, not sticks, trees. Several of them floating and I had to avoid them as they could easily take a keel or rudder clean off.

The boat is sailing really well. I have pumped my port ballast and shifted all the weight inside from starboard to port for the trip across the top. The weather looks to be lightening off in about 3 days so I am going to push hard now to cover the ground and hopefully get across in front of it. Will see. Can rest when I'm back.

Really enjoying it and even surprised mum with a phone call tonight. Had to wish her happy mothers day a day early.

Day 4 - 0900 May 8th

At 0530 this morning I entered the reef at Raine Island and now I am currently winding my way through shallow stops, working my way up to the main shipping channel. I’m currently surfing at 8 to 10 knot on calm seas with wings up to 25 knots. I plan to be passing through Prince of Whales passage to Arafura sea by midnight. 

So far I have not seen any boats since I have left and the only sea life I have seen is flying fish and sea birds. I’m looking forward to something a little more interesting.

Day 3 - 0810 May 7th

Life onboard SOS Ocean Racing has, to put it in the words of Jessica Watson, "Become a little interesting" 

It is the morning of the 3rd day and it was an entertaining evening to say the least.  I had a few visitors last night in the form of sea birds, not up to sped on what type they are but 5 of them flying around and 2 landed.  One of them on the stern of the boat.  I then decided to jibe and rather than take off he headed straight downstairs into the cabin, proceeded to throw up the days catch of fish all over the place and now the cabin stinks of fish.  After the sea bird adventures I was settling back in and right on the stroke of midnight, a crash jibe.  I have been running so square and the autopilot got it wrong.  Way over on the side and it took about 30 minutes to clean up.  Not that anything went anywhere except the battery box which I have now secured better.  Just ropes in the cockpit etc.

Then I decided that once the wind hit 28 knots it was time to put a reef in the main.  This is a tiring job and it takes a while and after the jibe, it meant a fair workout for one evening.  Went without hitch though and now I am cruising under first reef main only in 4m seas and surfing consistently.  I think I am averaging about 10 knots this morning.  The tracker states I have now averages 8.7 knots so I picked that up 0.2 knots overnight. Can't imagine keeping up this speed for the rest of the journey but an eta of June 6th would be unbelievable.  That is what the tracker is predicting at present.

A few drops of water found their way into the boat last night as well.  I had my bean bag set up next to the companionway where a nice breeze was coming in and at one stage got a nice shower so a few wet pillows to dry out today.  Other than that I slept really well, I am sleeping so well considering the conditions but the boat is loving it. 

Good news is that I am 200nm from the entrance to the reef.  The sailing has been smooth now that I am under first reef and will take it easy today as the sailing tomorrow to get through the reef will need me on my game.  I am entering at Raine Island and will wind my way back to the main shipping channel to go around Wednesday Island which is a mark of the official World Sailing Speed Record course. 

So breakfast this morning is nutri-grain and fresh milk.  Hopefully I can keep it in the bowl, it is a little rocky.

Day 2 - 1630 May 6th

I am currently cruising along at 25 knots SE, averaging 9 to 10 knots with the main only. Besides a few minor breakages today like pulleys, easily replaced, everything is going smoothly and on track.

Day 1 - 1330 May 5th

Well three hours into the epic journey and everything is smooth. I am a bit right of course as the wind is fairly south at the moment but hopefully it will let me back left later on today. I don't think the reef is going to be done by sunset but we'll be amongst it anyway. Wont' be long after dark and I'll be in the deep blue sea.

Footage of the start however the sound wasn't working however this is just that Ian forgot to turn on the mics.

More than go time, this is it - 0630 May 5th (Start Day)

Amazing feeling as I wake up and look out the window. Glorious day, clear skies and a gentle breeze. It will build a little before the start and then keep building all day as I head north.

IT has been a long time coming. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes, I'll do my best to make you all proud. Thanks especially to all my sponsors, it is a very simple equation, without them, there is no today. The biggest thank you has to go to Roy Barkas of OceanTracker.net. His efforts over the last week were amazing in getting me a tracker, updating sites etc. Above and beyond mate and thanks for that. Everyone will be looking forward to your tracking system letting them know where I am and I hope that the big races use you to track them in the future.

Well the Kookaburras are awake out my window, how Australian is that. I am an Aussie, born and bred and this is my country, to circumnavigate it by water adds to the circumnavigation with my parents and brother when I was 12. It is an awesome country. I'd fly an Australian flag off the boat but too much drag. There is room for only one flag on the boat and that is the Whitsunday Sailing Club burgee. They are the best club I've ever been to or associated with. Friendly and the racing is great. Don't take my word for it, come up here and visit, especially during Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week .

Well time to get up, last shower for over a month!!!!!!

It's go time - 2100 May 4th

The time has come. After years of planning and months of actually putting the campaign together, tomorrow morning it all begins. The boat is ready, the tracker is working nicely and I am definitely ready. Not sure how I will sleep tonight, I am a wee bit excited but will do my best. I'm sure I'll be up early and will get to the baot by 8, leave the dock at 9 and then a start around 10am. Streaming video will begin from approximately 0930 and will go for about an hour.

20-25 knot SE winds forcast for the first week now, perfect for a quick start. So excited!!!!!!

Toll Air Express blunder forces delay - 1045 May 2nd

In my job, if I forgot to manifest or sign someone onto the boat and they ended up where they aren't meant to be, the company would be fined severely, I would lose my job and possibly end up in jail if something happened to them. Well thanks to the incompetence of the people at Toll Air Express my whole campaign is delayed until at least Wednesday now.

A package required for the ratification of the WSSRC record has "gone missing!" It was flying on Virgin Blue's flights from Tasmania to Proserpine and was due to arrive yesterday and be installed (takes 2 minutes to put in) however when it didn't turn up I started asking questions. This morning I have learnt that it is in Darwin. For some reason they don't use a manifest system on some items and instead of it coming off in Brisbane, it stayed on the plane and is now in Darwin where they can't get onto anyone until tonight to ensure it gets back to Brisbane and then up to Proserpine. Unbelievable. What's more is they told me that they "called someone to take it off in Brisbane" are you kidding me. Is this how a professional company runs. I know I will neve ruse Toll ever again for anything, this is a joke.

So at this stage I will depart on Wednesday. I will confirm a time as I get closer but may possibly be 9am to give me more time to get outside the reef. To all those wanting to see me off, I appologize however I just can't do anything right now. I am sitting stunned at Toll's lack of manifesting.

So the next few days will be about hurry up and wait!!!!

Final Days - 2230 April 29th

Cannot believe we are so close. WOW, where has the time gone.

Today it was confirmed that the World Sailing Speed Record Council has appoiunted George Canfield as the Commissioner of Record for the attempt. George is well known throughout the sailin industry not only here in Australia but around the world. His role is to chekc the seals on my gearbox before and after the trip and to do the official timing right down to the second. In addition to George the Whitsunday Sailing Club has been appointed to set the start line for the record.

As far as the boat is concerned, so close. Just a few little things to finish off and I'll be there. Have to thank Justin who installed my new alternator free of charge. He has been working for Islandive and offered his time to support my campaign. Thanks mate, I owe you one. He tells me that all thanks he needs will be to mention him in the book I plan to write on return.

My mate Mark and his wife and kid turned up today to support me over the last few days and see me off. It is so good to see them as they are from Melbourne and have come up especially. That's what good mates are about I guess. Mark crewed with me over in Fiji when I had the boat over there.

I've also made my list of 6 people who I will invite out on the boat as I leave the dock. These people will be able to help put the main up and just be around for the last period before I take off. As long as they are off the boat before I head off this is fine. Those people are my mum, my two best mates in Anthony & Mark, then there is Big Kev, a guy who I have sailed with lots and he came to the Whitsundays to work. He recently got his skippers ticket and has become a good mate. Tim from Islandive is also invited. He is always telling guests on the boat that he is my son and I hope to be a role model to him that he can do anything he wants, he just has to set his mind to it. And finally Cass, my shore manager will be out with us to take final video and still footage before I go.

Final Hitout - 2130 April 28th

Final on water hit out.....check.

Just had final hitout on the water and everything went well. Not a windy day but great fun all the same. We got beaten by Questionable Logic but it was close all the way and both boats had a lot of fun while we were at it. Main thing is, the new headsail from Doyle worked a treat and no damage done. Just a few things to tidy up and then Sunday is go time.

Cant wait.

So close to ready - 1930 April 25th

You know you are getting close when you start to go through the things left on the boat and decide what is staying and what is going.  7 days from now I hope to be on my way.  Big day tomorrow installing a few more things but we have a stereo now so the tunes are playing.  I have to fit the solar panel and build a box around the new batteries which will also form a seat for the nave station.  Wire new alternator in and new headsail hopefully arrives Tuesday and a final hit out on Wednesday.  Can't believe we are so close now

2nd May departure - 2130 April 22nd

It is looking more and more likely that I will be off on the 2nd May at 10am. Everything on the boat is getting very close, probably 3 days away but definitely by Tuesday afternoon it should be done. Final hitout on Wednesday before packing her with food and water and getting ready for a Sunday departure.

Today I had Clay helping me and that was awesome. I was off in a liferaft in a pool and putting out fires whilst he reinforced the auto-pilot and did a heap of little jobs. So good to have extra help. Over the long weekend I plan to get pretty much everything finished. On Tuesday my new sail should turn up and the rig is having a final tune before a final hitout on Wednesday in the twighlight sailing out of the club. The it is loading time for provisions and water and then on Sunday me and then away we go.

Good news is the members evening is now confirmed as Friday night at Waterline on Shingley. This is a combined donation from Waterline and also Terry Archer from The Home Loan Specialists. There will be free finger food and it will be a great night to sit and chat with everyone who is a member and a few of the sponsors.

Then on Sunday, this is not confirmed, but I believe that Wings II, the boat I usually drive, will be heading out to farewell me. So if you want to come out and see the start and a few hours after until I disappear over the start line, let me know and I'll hook you up for the Wings II ride. I plan to leave at 10am as there is a race that day as well so the whole fleet should be out to play for a little while after the start,

So everything is looking good. All I need is a final piece to the puzzle and that is a naming rights sponsor and this campaign will be everything I want it to be.

Letter from Department of the Environment

Dear Mr Thomson

Your e-mail of 31 January 2010 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP concerning your SOS Ocean Racing Campaign and plastic bags has been passed to the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter GArrett AM MP. Mr Garrett has asked me to thank you for your e-mail and to reply on his behalf.

The Australian Government hsares your concerns about litter in our oceans. The injury and death of vertebrate marine life caused by eating or becoming entangled in marine debris, was listed as a 'Key Threatening Process' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), in 2003. In response to this listing, the Australian Government has developed a Threat Abatement Plan for the impacts of Marine Debris on Vertebrate Marin Life (TAP). The TAP, released in May 2009, seeks to reduce the harmful impacts of marine debris including plastic bags and cigarette butts. The TAP is available at www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/marine-debris.html

Australia is also a party to MARPOL 73/78, the protocol relaing to the International Convention for the prevention or Pollution from Ships and, under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of pollution from ships) Act 1983, the Commonwealth requires large ships to develop waste management plans fort heir garbage. While there is always more to be done, these measures help to reduce the environmental impacts of waste in our oceans.

It is also worth noting that while plastic debris does have an impact on marine life, only a small proportion of the debris is plastic bags. A June 2009 report on the impacts of plastic debris on Australian marine wildlife, which was prepared by DEWHA, found that plastic bags contributed 8% of plastic ingested by marine life and were responsible for fewer than 1% of all entanglements. A copy of the report can be found at www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/marine-debris-cr-consulting.html

In relation to your proposals to limit the number of plastic bags, you may be interested to know that Mr Garrett chairs the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) which is comprised of all of Australia's Environment ministers. In April 2008, the EPHC considered a Decision Regulatory Impact Statement on plastic bags. The analysis in the impact statement found that there were significant costs associated with banning, or placing a charge on plastic bags and that the costs substantially outweighed the potential benefits. On that basis, the EPHC decided not to endorse uniform, national regulartory action to ban or place a charge on plastic bags at that time.

The EPHC did however endorse the use of alternatives to plastic bags, such as reusable bags. A reusable bag used mulitple times will have less overall impact on the environment than any single use bag. In addition, the EPHC is considering potential environmental benefits of degradable (including biodegradable) plastics and has provided $300,000 for research into the toxicity, and the rate and extent of breakdwon, of degradable plastics in Australian environments. The findings of this research will be used in the development of Australian Standards that may help to protect the environment and also enable consumers and businesses to be confident that the products perform as claimed.

If you are interested in monitoring the decisions made by the EPHC, including those related to degradable plastics, communiques on the outcomes of EPHC meetings are available at www.ephc.gov.au/news

I wish you all the best in your attempt to break the world record for sailing non-stop solo around Australia.

Yours sincerely

Kelly Pearce - Assistant Secretary Waste Policy Branch

So baiscally it costs too much. How much is a turtles life worth? Now even Bangkok is getting into the game. Have a look at this link SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS

And if South Australia can afford it, surely the Australian government can.

10 days to go and SOS needs help - 1900 - 20th April

Fundraiser a success, race day not so successful - 2100 - 18th April

The fundraiser held at the Whitsunday Sailing Club last night was a great success. We managed to raise just under $7,000 through the auction. The highlight of the evening was definitely the human auction where two of the ladies shone brightly getting $150 for their 4 hours wrk. Ange Ray from the club worked tirelessly all night to run several quick auctions for club jerseys and this helped get the overall figure raised.

However a few of the bigger items did not go and hence they will be put up on Ebay over the coming week where we hope we can sell them off and get the value they so richly deserve.

I have to thank everyone at the club for their support and those who turned up for theirs. It was a great effort.

Then today we went for a sail in the Challengers Cup. Our crew was inexperienced and the wind was blowing whcih never helps however the biggest issue is the back up cruising headsail. It is not the one we will go around Australia with as Doyle Brisbane are currently building the new sail. It is simply a bag of rubbish and does not handle the high wind at all, it just blows out. It meant the boat just would not perform upwind and the fleet simply sailed away from us. We didn't run spinnakers as it was more of a cruise than anything and just to get the boat out to give it another hitout and glad we did.

Two things happened. First the lowest track on the mast pulled out yet again and then on the final leg of the race, the jib car literally obliterated itself. It broke the track on the deck and broke the car. Not sure what the damage is but let's just say thank God we had a fundraiser last night.

But it was still fun to get out on the water with a few mates and two people who paid for me at the auction to come sailing. Their first sailing experience.

Long Range forecast predicts departure on May 1st- 0900 16th April

SOS Ocean Racing's World Record Attempt for sailing around Australia solo non-stop unassisted looks set to depart on May 1st if the long range weather forecast proves to be correct. At this stage the Maxsea Chopper long range weather forecast has a 15-20 knot SW for a start at 10am on the 1st switching to the SE and increasing to 20-25 by 10pm the same evening.

More importantly to Ian Thomson's attempt is that the weather across the top of Australia. Departing from his home town in Airlie Beach means he is just 4 days from reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria and hence the weather forecast will be fairly reliable when he leaves. Ian stated" I'm looking for 15-20 knots up the East Coast to get off to a flyer however across the top of Australia, it is important I don't get any road blocks. I need solid SE winds and hence why I have chosen this time of year. If the right weather comes I will have to push hard in the first week to get up there and take advantage of the good winds. Then of course there is the West coast which can prove interesting. I may have to go wide to avoid sailing on the nose which my boat is not all that good at. It is made as a downwind flyer."

Ian's boat is a custom built Welbourn designed 12m. It is as close as you can come to an Open 40 without being an open 40. It is built strong and has a huge downwind sail area with the A2 being 180 sqm. But Ian hopes to never have to use it as it is only suitable in winds up to 10 knots.

Dreams come true for a mate - 2230 13th April

These missions of crossing oceans solo are dreams and tonight a mate of mine has completed his mission. He has finished as first monohull in the Solo Trans Tasman yacht race. Reports from the finish say that he has snapped his boom on the final day but managed to hold off all the other mono's to be 2nd home overall and first mono.

It has been a challenge the whole way for Trevor Hill as he was totally self funded. He broke a spreader on the delivery to NZ and then on arrival in NZ he had his outboard and safety gear stolen. But through all the pain he has come through victorious and that is a huge effort. Congrats to you mate, you are a champion.

The final systems are going in - 2000 12th April

It is getting close now, 3 weeks till departure day and basically it is time to finalise the work on the boat so I can have plenty of time to do system checks. Today I completed painting the boom and putting the website on it. It looks awesome now that it is black which matches the mast and the white lettering stands out so well. Should have plenty of people visiting this site.

Also purchased my extra batteries which will give me the power to drive my computer and all the electronics. I then have to install the solar panels which will top them up. I'm hoping to have everything completed this week so I can race on Sunday in the Great Barrier Reef Challengers Cup. Want to support the local racing scene and with a crew it will be interesting to see if I can beat the entire fleet home.

Shore Manager announcement - 1930 12th April

TIme is ticking away and I'll be off before you know it. Once I am out there I will need to focus on the sailing and leave the general work of the campaign to someone on shore. So I decided to appoint a shore manager and I am here to introduce her to you all. Cass works at Islandive as a marketing manager and has agreed to help me with my campaign, dealing with updating facebook, news, galleries and setting up media appointments etc. For instance I won't want to be woken up in the middle of a sleep so we will set up times where media, friends and family can contact me by phone etc.

My usual phone number will be handed over to Cass as will my main computer. All e-mails will be screened by Cass and she will pass on the ones that are relevant. So once I have set off, Cass will be your contact for anything from aranging phone calls or media appointments.

A visit from a sea mongrel - 1900 11th April

I met Anthony Malloch when he jumped on board my boat at the start of the Brisbane to Gladstone. He helped me get the main up when the halyard slipped off the sheave at the top of the mast. He was the smart one who took the helm leaving his mate to do the bouncing at the mast.

Well today I met him under better conditions as he visited me at the marina. Anthony is about to paddle his 6m kayak from Cairns to PNG taking 2 months. He paddles from island to island and sets up camp. If the distance between the two islands is more than a day he just paddles, no sleeping on a kayak. He told of his past adventures and it was enthralling. This is a guy who knows what adventure is about. He told me one particular story of a croc who tried to eat the back of his kayak. I am hoping to catch up with him as I pass through the region up near Thursday Island. In the meantime read more about him at www.seamongrels.com

Two other links I want to bring to your attention are of course little Jessica Watson who is now under Australia. She is almost home and will be the youngest person to circumnavigate the world non stop unassisted. What an inspiration at just 16. You go girl. www.jessicawatson.com.au

And finally a link I found through Jess's site. This one I think is unbelievable and that is of Jamie Dunross is a C5 quadraplegic and is sailing solo around Australia stopping at selected destinations. HIs story is amazing, his courage is unreal and he is another inspiration to me to complete my goal. Visit his website at www.solo1.com.au

In Airlie, Home Sweet Home - 0900 7th April

I arrived at 0330 this morning into Airlie. Great sail up. Just had a quick nap and now I am ready to clean up the boat and go to my own home. The boat is here, it is such a great feeling.

The sail up was great. Averaged over 7.5 knots and I was in cruise mode. Wind dropped to 4 knots at one stage but with the big A2 kept the pace up and sailing faster than the wind. Most of the time on the A3 which has become my favourite sail already. Sailed the whole leg with a reef in. Didn't bother shaking it out, just cruising.

I will go back to Brisbane tomorrow to get the rest of the boat which is sitting in my car. Back in Airlie by Saturday night and then the next load of work begins. The list is about as long as my trip around Oz but we'll get there.

Awesome Sunset - 1930 5th April

Auto-pilot is working a treat. The mainsail took a while to put up and the guys on Bribie Star looked sympathetic as they went past. Headed north averaging 8 -10 knots under main and jib. Glorious sunset. All is good and should be in Airlie by tomorrow night if the wind holds in but it is expected to drop off.

Gladstone - 0900 5th April

Well the partying and reparis are over and I am setting up to leave with the outgoing tide at around 1300 today. I have fixed my halyard however there are a few modifications to the gear at the top of the mast required when I get to Airlie. The auto-pilot seems to be fixed but won't know till I run the tests on the water. Should be fine as it is now configured properly.

It was great fun as usual in Gladstone. The Saturday night party was great as most people didn't expect to see me till Sunday so great to talk story with everyone and the amount of kites blown up is awesome once again. Why don't sail companies sponsor races, they make the most money, I'm sure of it. The girls off South Passage who are part of Women Race for Red Kite once again provided a lot of entertainment at the Yacht Club. Something about bringing 23 ladies to a bar after a yacht race seems to work. They did well once again and raised somewhere around $20,000 for Red Kite. Congrats ladies. I have also been consulted to possibly run a race boat for their better crew in next years race. They have had to turn people away so putting a gun crew on a gun boat is an option for 2011.

Well time to go provision shopping and then head out....this time alone.

Brisbane to Gladstone - Finished 2300 3rd April

Well we made it. Arrived at 2045 so technically 30 minutes slower than last year on e11even. Not bad considering I was short handed and couldn't drive the boat hard all the time.

Top speed reached of 19.1. How amazing that was. This boat flies.That was without spinnaker too. Consistent surfing and I felt like I was on an 18ft skiff. Amazing feeling.

Finished 7 minutes behind Arcadia which is the current Australian IRC champion. Stoked with that. 3 hours behind the Farr 40's which I think is impressive, wish I had a few extra crew so I could have beaten them but hey, that's not my game at the moment.

1 big issue and that was when we finished. Couldn't get the main down. Stuck at the top where the halyard jammed. Had to dock with it up and then the boys off Samuari Jack helped me up the mast and I cut her free. A job to fix in the next day or two.

Time to party with the other crews. I'm tired but seem to have so much energy. It was quite simply the best sail I've ever had. I am so looking forward to the Record attempt. Bring it on.

Brisbane to Gladstone - Lady Elliott Island - 1400 3rd April

We have just rounded Lady Elliott and we have cuaght all three of the boat who were in front of us. I was running angles whilst they were running square. For thos of you who don't know sailing, this means I was running quicker but not as direct. With an assymetrical spinnaker I have to do this. I can't run straight downwind. Having passed 2 of them I cleared out on them but Dream is proving a little tougher to catch.

However I am getting very tired and as I feel I have proved everything I need to, it was time to just get the boat home safely. The wind is up to 25 knots so I have gone back to the headsail. Corum and Arcadia will get me back but I'm not too worried. This is just a trial, I'm not in the race.

I probably won't sleep, just need to let the "Auto-pilot" run the boat for a bit to give me a break and it won't handle the spinnaker surfing at up to 17 knots.

Brisbane to Gladstone - It's on again - 0900 3rd April

Overnight and just 20 minutes of sleep for me and the Farr 40's are gone. As I didn't want to run the spinnakers overnight they have set off into the sunset. I am in a bunch of 40 footers of varying types. I have Corum, Arcadia and dream in front of me by about 2-3 miles. Behind me are Zulu Chief, trumpcard and Ultimate Positioning.

Having sailed all night under headsail and main, I have now reverted back to the A3 spinnaker and we are closing in on the guys in front and leaving the guys who were coming up behind me. We rounded Indian Head on Fraser at 4am, the best time I have ever done to this mark which proves this boat is quick. Will be interesting to see if I can beat the 2030 arrival time of last year when I was on e11even. Approaching Breaksea Spit and then heading over to Lady Elliott Island before the run home.

It is glorious out here.

Brisbane to Gladstone out of the bay - 1900 2nd April

What an adventure this is turning out to be. The lack of preparation realy told but now I am sailing it is all sorting itself out. This is what I do best, sailing the boat. We were a little late to the start. Meant to start 15 minutes early, started with main only about 4 minutes early. So the fleet caught and passed us really quickly. FIrst it was Black Jack steaming past doing about 15 knots. Then came Spirit of the Maid and the Farr 40's. Eventually I composed myself enough to get the headsail out and across the bay we went. Boats were still passing me as I timidly sailed her along. It wasn't until the run up Bribie Island I decided it was time to bring out a spinnaker. Then it was on, time to close in on some of the boats that had caught me.

I was pegging them back quickly and then got outside the fairway marker and could see teh Farr 40's about 2nm in front of me. I was starting to pull them back and now the sun is gone I have decided to go back to the headsail for the night.

With my auto-pilot issue I ended up keeping Lisa on board. She is going to act as my auto-pilot for the remainder of the trip to Gladstone. I considered pulling into Mooloolaba but draught issues meant it wasn't feasible anyway. So I'm not really solo, let's say solo with assistance. Lisa has been great, she is doing this all to support the camapign. The smile on her face however says that she really is loving it. She is getting to drive the boat which she has done very little of before.

With the spinnaker up we were hitting 13-15 knots consisently but now we are back to 10-12 knots with headsail and main. Lovely boat. If she holds together, the record will be easy to get in this machine.

Brisbane to Gladstone pre start - 1115 2nd April

Not everything went according to plan in the lead up to the race. The auto-pilot had some issues. On the way to the start line Lisa Bolger was on board to help me clean up and allow me to do extra things. A lack of preparation time is never any good for this kind of trip. We decided to put the main up and it was extremely hard to put up. Later found out that the halyard has slipped off the sheave at the top of the mast and jammed between it and a plate. Dean, the guy who installed the streaming video systems had been organised to pick LIsa up and when he came alongside he offered some help. He had a couple of guys on board who jumped on board and helped. In the following video footage you will see what happened. LAter I found out these guys are from Seamongrels so here is the footage.

 

It's go time - Thursday 1st April 2130

It is go time alright. Today was a long day but a successful day. In the morning I had to put up the furler and thanks to two awesome guys, both named John, who are living on their boats in the marina, I got it done. I love the marina lifestyle, everyone helping everyone. These guys simply offered and then stayed until I was done. They wanted to do more. Thanks guys.

I have all my sails. The headsail I am using is not the one I will use around Australia. It is a cruising sail and smaller than the one I will use but time ran out for Doyle as well and they just couldn't get it done. They had to focus on the race boats and I can appreciate that. It is downhill anyway so all spinnakers so it won't matter too much.

I then delivered the boat up to Rivergate Marina and am now parked behind Nikon Spirit of the Maid, the other Whitsunday boat. I managed to finish off everything however a few things to do in the morning including furling my A5 spinnaker and Code Zero so they are ready to use and then put the A2 & A3 into the socks so they too can be used off the start. Won't take long. Then a bit of a clean up and we will be ready to race.

I have a friend Lisa Bolger coming out with me to the start which is a great help. She has also been kind enough to get my provisions for the days to Gladstone. Saved me an evening of shopping. Great help and I thank her dearly.

Well it is time to head to bed, nice early bed so I can be fresh tomorrow. See you on the Streaming video!!!

2 Days to go - Tuesday 30th March 2100

Well it is 2 days to go and there is so much to do but I will be on the start line. The weather is not playing nice. It is raining often but the work must continue. Today the radar got installed as did the tower courtesy of Aluminium Boats. The tower is awesome and the radar looks a treat up on top. I also have finished off all the electronics except for the final mounting of the auto-pilot ram and rudder feedback unit. Not much work in that though.

My biggest concern is the furler. I have all the parts but there is the problem of having to head the rod end when I put all the furling pieces on. It means I end up with a 16.5m long rod and I have to get it about 5km up the road. I still may revert back to the original system for Gladstone but I'll decide tomorrow.

I then have more signs going on the boat from Boat Names Australia, the Furuno and Maxsea guys are coming to play and configure the gear and I also have the Streaming Video Systems guys coming to finish off. In the afternoon Laura from Doyle Brisbane is bringing down my sails including the socks and soft furler for the spinnakers. So a major day but by the end, I should be very close to being ready to depart and I need to be out of Manly Marina by 1100 on Thursday to get the high tide due to the draft. Thursday morning will hopefully just be a clean up.

And finally the links are up for the OceanTracker.net tracking device and the SVS TV. They are both on the home page. So watch often and hlep support this campaign.

3 Days to go - Monday 29th March 2000

Into the final week and things are busier than ever.  I can't wait till Friday to just be sailing.  Today I managed to get a bit done and am ready for a huge day tomorrow. The guys from Streaming Video Systems were onboard and installed the aerial and booster. I get my piece for the forestay tomorrow morning so I can install my furler and I also get my Radar tower so I can finish off the electronics package.  So it will be a long day but by the end of tomorrow I will be so close.  Wednesday will be a finishing off day and then Thursday is sailing all day.  Long days ahead but I'll make it.

Ballast in and bottom scrubbed - Sunday 28th March - 2200hrs

I spent the morning under the boat. As the boat has been sitting for a while there was a lot of weed on the boat so I spent the first 90 minutes of the day under my boat scrubbing so it is nice and slippery for the race. It was hard work but it is now ready underneath.

I then completed the waterballast system so I now have the ability to put 900 liters of wter in each side to help keep the boat upright, necessary when you don't have crew sitting on the rail.

I decided on an early day so I can be fresh tomorrow morning when the last 4 days begin. It is going to be a big week for SOS. STay tuned and don't forget to tune in here at 1030 hrs EST on Good Friday for the start of my campaign. I will be broadcasting via live streaming the first hour of the race right here on SOS Ocean Racing.

Time is ticking away - Sunday 28th March - 1000hrs

Having got to the boat on Saturday the 20th March, it was always going to be a busy time to prepare the boat for the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race on the 2nd of April. To install all new electronics, finish off the water ballast system, install a furler and get the sails modified is a lot of work. Typical of me, I like to do everything myself so I know where everything is and how it all goes together. Also means if something goes wrong, I've only got myself to blame. After a week of work, things are getting there. It is going to be tight but most of the electronics are up and running. I am waiting on my new radar tower being built by Aluminium Boats in Hemmant. They are producing this awesome tower for me which is just so great. I get it Tuesday and will install it straight away so I can get the final electronics up and running.

The forestay is causing a bit of grief. Fitting a furler is proving harder than we thought but thanks to some help from Simon, a professional rig designer, we are making a special fitting. He is designing it over the weekend and then I will hopefully get it built on Monday. Then let's hope the furler goes together properly or we'll be back to square one.

The water ballast system is going nicely. It should be in by the end of the day. Will be great to have it running. The other big concern is the new sail. Laura Warlow of Doyle Brisbane is so busy, typical of pre Gladstone time. However she has promised me a sail Friday morning so I guess I'll be tuning that one on the way to the start.

So it is all go, go,go. I'm off to scrub the bottom this morning and finish the ballast system. Hopefully I can also tick off a fe other jobs but we will see.

New Departure Venue - Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Queensland Australia

It is with great excitement that I can announce a brand new departure location. Due to a change in the official course which now no longer includes the wording of enclosing the Great Barrier Reef, it has allowed me to sail out of my home town. The magical Whitsundays is where I work and where I have seen the damage our plastic bags do.

So rather than depart from the Gold Coast I am moving my departure to my home town where the Whitsunday Sailing Club will host the event. The new schedule will see me sail in front of the Brisbane to Gladstone event and then afterwards sail the vessel up to Airlie Beach to finalise preparations. The locals in Airlie Beach have been incredible in their support so the fact that I can depart from here is so exciting for me.

I do appreciate that this is further to travel for a lot of my supporters if they wish to come and watch the departure but it is vital that I take off in a place where I have the most support. Being able to spend the time in my own home will also help me to prepare myself and the boat.

Discussions will now take place between the WSSRC and the Whitsunday Sailing Club to appoint an official Commissioner of Record to ratify the time and approve a start line. I am hoping that this will be right in front of the WSC so those who don't have access to vesels will be able to watch from the shore. However I know this club and it's people well and I am sure there will be a fleet of boats coming out to both the start and finish of this record attempt.

Brisbane to Gladstone Co-operation

It is with great excitment that I can announce that the Brisbane to Gladstone Race organisers have agree to allow me to run alongside their event on Good Friday 2010. This co-operation means that I get to run solo up the race course and can compare my pace against crewed vessels. In addition to this, my request to run prior to their start has been granted. I will be departing 15 minutes prior to the main fleet start which means I will have the entire focus of the media and spectator fleet as I sail up toward Redcliffe. If all goes according to plan I will be able to get to the first mark before the big guns catch me which will mean more attention to this campaign.

I am so excited to be able to do this and show off the campaign, the new boat and my sponsors in what will prove to be awesome exposure. I can't ask for more and I wish to thank the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race organisers for this opportunity.

Departure date announced

SOS Ocean Racing has announced it's departure date. Whilst weather is key to a world record, the window for this world record attempt will now be a little smaller as Ian has committed to departing in the first week of May 2010. The first possible date of departure will be Saturday 1st May and the last departure date will be Sunday 9th May.

In addition Ian has announced that there will be a members evening on the 30th April on the Gold Coast (Venue TBA). This will be an opportunity for team members and sponsors to meet Ian before he takes off on this epic journey.

Plastic bags are killing our farm animals as well

I have had a great response to our campaign from all over Australia however it was with shock that I received a letter from Mr Bob Rogers, a farmer from NSW. He stated that he had lost several 18 month old heifers to plastic bags. As he lives close to a main road, the bags blow onto his property where teh cows eat them and they get caught in their guts and eventually kill them.

He spoke with a local vet and he reports that on average he sees at least 1 case per month where a plastic bag is the culprit. However this is the reported cases. Many farmers would not report the loss of the cows and many times the cause would never be found. Many of them end up being burnt so the bag will never be found.

It is quite simple, we are even killing our farm animals, the source of income for our nation and a primary food source. It is senseless and we need to bring this to the attention of the general public.

Save our Seas Ocean Racing Campaign

We have now committed to our round Australia Campaign and we will use the exposure in the media to make people aware of the effects plastic bags have on our environment. Just yesterday whilst fuelling the boat in Able Point Marina, I picked up 4 plastic bags in the space of 20 minutes. It is senseless to use them, let alone leave htem lying around so they can blow into the water.

This week has been a busy one with our new website being launched and also our membership package. You can now join our team and help us get our message out. Benefits of being a member include a free crew shirt, discounts from our sponsors and your name goes on the hull of the vessel for the duration of our trip. Sign up today to make sure your name is at the top.

Massive 2010 planned

2010 promises to be a massive year for me. Whilst there has been literally no racing over the past 4 months, there has been lots on the drawing board as I plan for the biggest year of racing in my career.

The 2009 Sydney to Hobart, 2010 Coffs and all other events have been put on the back burner as I focus on my major goal. That is a new campaign to be announced shortly throughout Australia.

This campaign will start with the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race at Easter as a warm up for my solo endeavours. This will be closely followed by the Solo Around Australia Attempt and then I will focus on the 4 regattas in July/August on the East Coast of Australia

You will soon be able to become a team member of our campaign as we endeavour to become a world record holder and then win the worlds oldest solo around the world race.

Whilst we keep racing, my focus is also turning towards saving our oceans and our marine life. We are doing stupid things and our wildlife and oceans are dying. As humans we have to look after our world and the simple things, like not using plastic bags, can help save the lives of turtles and whales. And as our world warms up, so do our oceans and our reef is dying. Renewable energy is the way forward and our Velux campaign will focus on going around the world without using a drop of fossil fuel.

So enjoy the festive season and look out for the launch of our new campaign in early 2010.

Hamilton Island Race Week 2009

Put together one of the best high wind sailing crews available for Australia's most popular regatta and your hopes of winning increase. Unfortunately this year the wind did not co-operate and in the history of 26 years, this was the lightest wind regatta ever.

It did not suit the boat, did not suit the crew and a lot of the races where a lottery. It suited the bigger faster boats and an eventual 6th was all we could manage. However it is still fun to race in the Whitsundays, there is no better place on earth.

Airlie Beach Race Week 2009

What a week it was. David Elliott couldn't make it for my local regatta but allowed me to put my own crew together for the event. Not knowing the boat I knew we would struggle to keep up with the top bunch including two other Farr 40's but it was about learning and learn we did.

Learning was not just for the crew, it was for me. Light wind, start lines and upwind sailing are my three weaknesses so when we landed a 3rd in a red hot fleet on day two, you couldn't get the smile off my face. We proved that in spurts we could keep with the best but occassionally our inexperience and the fact we used an offshore mainsail rather than a regatta mainsail, meant we just couldn't not keep up however at the end of the day we got 7th overall which was a great result.

Keppel to Whitsundays Delivery

I was joined by Krissy (Kitty) Logan who is a regular crew member in Brisbane on e11even. Then the two Dan's from Hayman Island joined me for a new experience. Neither had any sailing experience but heaps of enthusiasm. 5 days of bliss, cruising from Roslyn Bay through to the Whitsundays.

We left for Great Keppel Island for a night. A rolly anchorage the first night but nothing compared to that of sleeping whilst racing. Magic sunsets make up for it anyway. It was only a short sail to get to Keppel but after a night of celebrating in Roslyn Bay, that was all we could cope with anyway.

Day two we sailed to Port Clinton. In all my trips up the coast I had never been able to get into Port Clinton due to regular navy and army activity in the area shutting it down to cruising. And what a shame it is that this place is not open all the time. A magic inlet where paradise is found. Only problem is the current that runs through, and on a light race boat with rope anchors, we wrapped our anchor line around the keel in the middle of the night and dragged our anchor.

Day three and it was a good sail from Port Clinton to South Percy. The conditions where perfect for cruising and the whales were in full form. We had dolphins on the bow, sun shining and the spinnaker had us cruising at 8-10 knots all day. The anchorage was breezy but spectacular and the sunset once again capped off the day.

Day four and off to Scawfell Island. Being east of Brampton Island, a former work place of mine, I had never been here before. The sailing was once again brilliant with the spinnaker flying all day. The whales and Dolphins had the crew smiling and the photos were coming think and fast. Coming around the east end of Scawfell Is. and the anticipation of what the anchorage like was building and like a scene from the perfect movie, the bay was exquisit. Birds chirping, sun setting and the beers flowing, this was the best anchorage on the east coast of Australia that I had ever seen.

Day five and time to head to my home ground of the Whitsundays. We decided to head to Whitehaven and for the first time all trip the wind started deserting us meaning a couple of hours of motoring. Once again the dolphins and whales came to play including a group of 10 dolphins at one stage playing on the bow. We made Whitehaven beach and after a very long time, I finally hit the beach again. Considering how often I take a boat load of passengers to this beach, to actually hit the beach myself was great and reminded me of how special this place was.

In the morning we sailed to Hayman to drop off Dan Forrest and then back to Airlie. What a trip and all I can say is that deliveries on our coast line north of Brisbane are something that more people should take the opportunity to do.

Brisbane to Keppel 2009

Sometimes yacht racing can be hard on you. You can sail as well as possible yet come out on the wrong side of the results and this year's Keppel was just that. Right from the start, we had the perfect start position with clear air all around and speed yet 30 seconds before the start the wind just vanished in our position and all those boats on the pin where the only ones with any breeze. We sat helpless as the fleet sailed away. All the way out of the bay they kept in more breeze and crept out of sight.

The breeze did come in eventually however it was just too late and we could not make any ground on our rivals finishing 6th in division and 8th overall.

Brisbane to Gladstone 2009

For the 5th year running, I set sail in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. This time it was different as for the first time I was on one of the quicker boats being E11even, a Modified Farr 40.

The race was a lot of fun but unfortunately our chances of winning decreased when the tactics where taken out of the race by the weather. It was going to favour the bigger boats where waterline length allowed them to get on the plane sooner than our 40 footers.

It meant the results went according to finish position except for Black Jack that just couldn't manage a big enough gap on the 50 footers to take victory, slotting into 5th.

On the race course, it was again a time for me to prove my downwind sailing ability and at the helm of a planing boat I was able to once again take the boat speed record from the other helmsmen. It seems all those years of wave sailing have helped me read the waves and allows me to get continuous long surfs.

We could have done with more wind in the 24-26 knots range which seemed to allow the boat to take off but most of the time it sat between 18-20 knots which wasn't enough to launch onto the waves unless they were big, but these where a rarity.

We did have a bit of fun when entering the main shipping channel of Gladstone. I was at the helm with two large ships coming out. We changed down to a Jib Top and was able to keep inside the first one. We would have been able to clear the second one but they did not want to exit the channel the right way and ordered us to cross the channel. Race regulations mean we had to do this. As this was taking us off course and we had to round one particular beacon, it was quickly decided to slow the boat as much as possible. We waited and waited until I had a clear run at the mark and then powered up and slid across the back of the super tanker and full tilt to try and get through the wind shadow. We managed to do this and did not need to tack back to the mark which was good judgement by our team.

Once rounding the mark, the wind died off and for the sake of the team, the helm was handed to John Warlow. In light conditions, there are better helmsmen on board than me and in a team like you have on a yacht, you have to realise your weaknesses and light weather is a weakness of mine as I don't have the subtilty of other helmsmen. We did not realise that 5 minutes later the wind would gust up to 30 knots. With the big kite up in flat water, John showed how good a helmsmen he really is and I stayed on the spinnaker sheet. It was a match race against another Farr 40 Cracklin Rosie all the way down the channel. Our team pulled together and managed to finish across the line a minute in front of "Crackers".

In the end we were handed a 5 minute redress for the issue with the super tanker as they had ordered us to take evasive action. You are never oing to mess with the tankers even if they are doing something that the authorities would not look at too well.

It was a very enjoyable race and I am continuing to learn the faster Farr 40. I spent a lot of time on Too Impetuous who also competed with a predominantly new crew for this race. It was good to see Rudy with his usual smile on his face at the end of the race even though the result wasn't as good as past years for him.

I'll take this opportunity to thank Dave Elliott, owner of E11even, for giving me the opportunity to be on such a competitive boat and look forward to the next race on board.

Sydney to Hobart 2008

It is a dream of most sailors to be able to sail in the Sydney to Hobart. Renowned as one of the most challenging races in the world, it sets off from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day and travels across the notorious Bass Strait to Hobart in Tasmania.

In 2008, I had the opportunity to sail onboard Lloyd's Brokers Too Impetuous for my first Hobart. The adrenalin running through you at the start of this epic race is amazing. Whilst Sydney Harbour is a spectacle in itself, it is amazing that you don't see a thing when you sail out through the heads. You are so focussed on the race and the yachts around you.

We had a great start off the second starting line. We weren't right on the line, we were behind another yacht but right at the boat end. We had plenty of clear air and hence got the jump on many boats. Outside the heads we rounded the ocean buoy and then headed south, setting a spinnaker in the slop caused by the thousands of spectator boats.

The first night was fairly painless as the wind conitnued at about 15-20 knots from the NE and we were making great ground south. Shortly after dark we heard the mayday calls from Georgia who eventually sunk and were rescued by Merit. It was a stark reminder that anything can happen at anytime. The next day saw the wind start to play games with us. A front came in from the west and caused a spinnaker drop as a huge grey line approached. We got our timing spot on and had it down and a headsail up just as the storm hit. Slowly the wind went right around in a 360 degree spin over a period of 3 hours dropping to as little as 3 knots and up to 25 knots. Then it was another spinnaker run southbound again.

Our trip across the notorious Bass Strait was so abnormal. We all know what can happen and the reminder of the 6 people who lost their lives in the race in 1998 in Bass Strait is always on your mind. However we were in board shorts and t-shirts sailing a comfortable race. It wasn't until we were further south and night 3 that we had the wind give us some treatment. Maxing out at 35 knots at a SW direction I personally loved the challenge of keeping Too Impetuous cruising at top speed. For 4 hours I hogged the helm and the crew stuck it out on the rail to get maximum performance out of the boat. Eventually I tired and had to hand the helm over and by morning the winds were easing. By middle morning we were actually looking for wind and the entire day was painful as the wind changed directions and fluctuated in strength. For a total of 16 seconds our GPS did read stationary but there were lots of 1-2 knot readings coming through.

That afternoon another change came through as we sailed towards Tasman Light. We rounded the light around midnight and headed across storm bay to Hobart. Sailing up the Derwent and it started to hit. I was about to complete my first Hobart and what's better, we were leading our division, PHS Div 2.

Crossing the finish line was pure jubilation. On pulling into the marina everyone on the boats was applauding us and hitting the dock, we knew we had won our division. Needless to say, the party went on for quite some time. The face on Rudy, boat owner, was exceptional as the smile just didn't wane. I reckon it will still be there.

For those who sail and love to race, doing a HObart is a dream and the finish line is something you have to feel to realise exactly what it is that drives people back to the race year after year. I for one will aim to be back next year.

Pittwater to Coffs 2009

Backing up from Hobart, I flew into Sydney on New Years day to meet Dave Elliot, owner of the modified Farr 40 E11even. This was my first taste of the Farr 40's and we had the day to head from the Harbour to Pittwater. Light winds prevented any real testing and after all the preps were done it was off to some friends place for dinner with the entire crew.

The next day and final preps on the boat including taking all excess weight off the boat. We got a great start in the middle of the field and had clear air until Ausmaid (Farr 47) sailed over the top of us but we were leading the other Farr 40's. Winds were light but steadily built during the day. My first run at the helm was quite ordinary by my own high standards. I just didn't seem to be able to get the feel of the boat. The second stint was just as bad and I was kicking myself. However it was after nightfall that things changed. The winds kicked in more and without the vision of the water, I had to feel the yacht to get the best performance out of it. This is when I started to feel comfortable once again.

Surfing at speeds up to 17 knots was an awesome rush and during one session on the rail, I even managed to accidently blow up my infaltable life jacket much to the amusment of the rest of the crew.

The race for handicap and line honours was on for the entire race and we ended up 5th over the line, 4th overall on IRC and 3rd in IRC division 1. It was a great race and to be on a faster and lighter boat was great for my own experience. I need to do this more to learn and improve and hence I will be back on E11even for the Brisbane to Gladstone at Easter.