Spirit of Juno - Transatlantic Adventure Rally 2007

Hi to all friends and relatives of crew on board Spirit Of Juno.

2007-11-20T17:34:00.001Z

We have had two slow days approaching Barbados, winds have dropped to a gentle breeze. We expect to be clearing customs tomorrow morning, as we have 73 NM left to sail.

The passage from Cape Verde has been good, we had good winds for the first 1000 miles, and then the wind started to drop.

All on board are in good health and spirits are high all are looking forward to getting ashore tomorrow.

Regards to all.

George

still in the doldrums ...

2007-11-19T14:49:00.001Z

… with a miserly wind speed of only 10 knots - very frustrating for all on board when you can almost hear, taste and smell land even though it is 241 miles away!

Not much action on board except for a 3am spinnaker change when the wind freshened to 15 knots and of course now we are most on everyone’s minds - Barbados here we come!

Hello all supporters of the Juno team

2007-11-18T22:18:00.001Z

We are doing well and most surviving the very hot conditions. One wimp had to take to his bunk and I am paying the penalties ! Others seem to sleep through the traumas of the other watcress as it happens.

Love and best wishes you all from the team.

John

distance to Barbados 365 nm at 2200 on 18th November

An eventful day

2007-11-17T20:09:00.001Z

48 hours ago we were enjoying partying at the Atlantic halfway point, bit of music, fancy dress and much banter and merriment, our progress having been hard work but largely trouble free and rewarding.

For the first time on this leg we were visited by a large pod of dolphins performing some crazy antics including 10 foot jumps in unison! But what a difference 48 hours can make.

Firstly a wrap in the heavyweight spinnaker meant a difficult drop and a need for repairs to both clews (which took 24 hours to achieve with three sewer/cobblers hard at it).
Then a small tear in the replacement medium weight spinnaker needed r action.

So the crew are feeling tired but Juno is now back in fighting trim, the heavyweight spinnaker is repaired and ready to hoist when the crew are ready and we learn that whilst we have lost 10 miles to the next boat, Diana, we are still some 69 miles ahead with 575 miles to go.

Excitement is mounting. We may be tired but we are optimistic that we have been through our bad spell, held our lead and will surge again.

Let's see what the next 24 hours brings but we are up for it!
Nick - Any news from Carol following her journey? Text a message to me and let me know please.

Tony

Another exciting day on the Juno bus

2007-11-17T09:44:00.001Z

We were joined for a few minutes yesterday evening by a passing school of dolphins who leapt around the boat to entertain us for a while before carrying on their way.

Cruising along at 11-12 knots we thought we were in for a quiet night but then incurred a little 'kite trouble'

Distance to Barbados 725 nm 2300 GMT

Half way point passed and celebrated with a fancy dress party

2007-11-15T19:55:00.000Z

Judging by some of the costumes cobbled together from assorted bits of material and rubbish bags it is becoming essential that some of the crew should rapidly seek alternative company ashore !

Watch changes, meal times and showering rotas.

Distance to Barbados 1930 GMT is 955 Nautical miles.

Dee.

passed half way blog

2007-11-15T18:57:00.000Z

Hi all,

Half way celebration sucess!!

All made fancy dress, pictures are worth seeing, well very funny for us!

Made rum punch with grog (Cape Verde rum, not nice stuff) also lost an hour from ships time so we aren't jet lagged by Barbados.

Dee's kitchen onboard awarded Michelin star, though we can withdraw it if the quaility drops (unlikely).

All the best to home - thanks for the messages it's great to hear from you.

Miles

Hello everyone

2007-11-15T11:05:00.000Z

Hi to all those at home, watching the progress of the Juno bus!

All happy on board especially since we seem to be holding off the chasing pack, although I am starting to feel the pressure. Every radio schedule is eagerly anticipated by everyone for the updated positions, to find out if we have gained or lost out to the other boats.

We will cross the half way point around 1600 GMT.

Preparations for the stop in the half way cafe have started going strong in the overnight watch, with costumes being made out of various bits of the boat by some. I will update later in the day if celebrations have gone well.

Distance to Barbados 1037 nm

Miles

Hi all at home, where ever home is ...

2007-11-14T12:09:00.001Z

Sorry no blog yesterday, busy day.

All is well on Juno, everyone is in good health and spirits are high, food good and lots of it.

We had two great days sailing and covered approximately 480 NM. An exciting night last night, when the spinnaker pole tripped itself three times within 3 hours, fault rectified by well aimed blows with a large hammer.

We expect to visit the half way cafe tomorrow, put our orders in for ice-cream, cold beers, send postcards, have our fancy dress party, fill up with diesel and then continue onto Barbados.

George

distance to barbados 1245 nm

1500 hrs Monday 12 November 2007

2007-11-12T18:21:00.000Z

Crew nearly all well though 2 still with uneasy stomachs - both now recovering well.

Spirits are high - we're all elated with the latest position report that shows the Juno 'bus' is consolidating her substantial lead.

There is a long way to go but we'd rather beat anticipation.

Best wishes to all from all!

Tony
distance to barbados 1551 nm

Another hard day at the office for the Juno crew.

2007-11-11T20:52:00.000Z

We are making good progress in steady winds - speed averaging ten knots and the kite flying nicely.

Another night of repelling boarders - flying fish, some individuals are attacked more often that others, leavng them with only a fishy smell.

All are well and send their love to all at home.

Distance to Barbados, 1723 nm

Hello from Juno

2007-11-11T08:40:00.000Z

Hi to all those at home, we have finally left Cape Verde.

We had a cracking start, very close on the line between Diana, Isis, and ourselves.

Popped the kite and headed off downwind, next stop Barbados.

The wind accelerated between the islands which gave us a good blast to clear the islands, giving the new crew a taste of how fun these boats are to sail.

Thankfully we didn't find the wind shadow of island of Santo Antao, this seems to have given us a bit of a lead.

The crew are still adjusting and readjusting to life onboard, the watch routine.

Even found myself in galley prepaing supper, as we start moher watch tomorrow.

Distance to Barbados, 1880 nm.
Miles Wise
Spirit of Juno

2007-10-29T13:03:00.000Z

Hi All
we nearly to Mindelo only 14 miles to run.

Have had great conditions over the last 24hours, surfing down the waves at up to 17 knots. Everyone is looking forward to having a run ashore, a cold beer, and a decent shower.

We are in the lead with the nearest competion 8 miles behind, which is Minerva. should be in in about 2 hours.
best wishs to all those at home from the good ship juno.

Miles

Sunday 28 October 0818

2007-10-28T08:49:00.001Z

The wind has held at around 15 knots most of the night, at the same time veering more easterly giving Juno a direct, steerable course for Mindelo and a consistent boat speed of 9-10 knots over the ground. As the dawn came round the wind slightly increased with some exhila and Simon) will surely suffer the wrath of Thomas!

There is an occasional brief shower but 99.5% blue sky and sun after a full moon to light us through the night. Spinnaker continues to fly as we speed towards our destination - leading the pack!

Tony

Saturday 27th of October

2007-10-27T19:43:00.001+01:00

A second completed day of distance covered in excess of 220 Nautical Miles. Spinnaker deployed for the entire time. It can only be a coincidence that any spinnaker gybe or change happens to occur in pitch darkness!

All well onboard, some sporting an assorted selection of bumps and bruises as the horizontally challenged Bruno Bus makes rapid progress towards her destination.

Cooking becomes increasingly innovative as the journey continues as the temporary fridges brought on board are raided of the most perishable produce. Exhilarating sailing although tricky on occasions with lighter breezes and cross seas.

Clear skies most of the time and were able to see a large whale pass across our bows at sunset last night prior to a full moon rising.

Dee

Hello all Juno Team supporters

2007-10-26T18:03:00.001+01:00

All is well wth the team and spirits are high ! The food is being prepared by volunteers in each watch, bribery is rife.

Sleep is varied and shared by those who need it most, age and persuasion are not an issue. Watch systems arcoping without us.

Love and best wishes.

John

Juno Blog - distance to finish 920 nm

2007-10-25T12:11:00.001+01:00

Despite receiving fridge parts on board from a rib just 4 minutes before the start, Juno was only just 4th at the first mark and rapidly drew into third.

The boats then shaped away on a close reach. Juno chose a lower course than the others and by nightfall was back with the group. We'll keep at it today then it's open ocean until Mindelo!

Roll on fair winds!

Tony

1057 hrs 24 October - preparing for departure.

2007-10-24T13:03:00.001+01:00

Spirit of Juno cleaned from stem to stern and gleaming.

All crew and vessel rarin' to go. Spectacular mountains and splendid fish restaurants and Club Naval have been very hospitable but crew want to get sailing now.

Forecast is great!!

Tony

1400 HRS MONDAY 15 OCTOBER 2007

2007-10-15T14:02:00.000+01:00

We have had a good 24 hr run from 1200 hrs on 14 October to 12 00 on 15
October, we are 120 NM from Funchal in Madeira and expect to be
alongside by midday Tuesday.

All on board are well, in good spirits, tired but happy and looking
forward to being in port, get the clothes washed.

Food on board has been excellent,

Weather so far has been great, with a good wind on the beam, now we are
expecting the wind to be further round to the stern and dropping so a
slow sail to the finish.

We are expecting to see the light of Porto Santo around midnight
tonight.

George

Hello folks

2007-10-14T14:29:00.001+01:00

Hi to all at home. We're finally moving in weather the farrs like, 10 knots over ground, beam reaching, clear skies in the shade of sails thankfully protecting from heat of the sun!

First 24 hrs have been a bit of a mixed bag, light wins meant slow prgress, only 60 miles in first 12 hrs. had no.1 jib up and down like a yoyo and a spinnaker peal in first 6 hrs giving the new crew alot of practice in sail handling.

Every one well and happy, quite competitive as Minerva about a 1 1/2 miles ahead and Isis about a mile behind, every thing to play for!!!

Disance to Funchal 340 nm

Miles
Spirit of Juno

Juno Crew leg #1

2007-10-13T14:33:00.001+01:00

Friday 12 October 2007

2007-10-12T17:09:00.000+01:00

We have provisioned this afternoon for the passage to Madeira, and will gain another cew member bringing our crew total to 12 (the second lady member).

Our expected departure from Cascais is around 10:00 hrs tomorrow with the start scheduled for 12:00 hrs

George.

Blog for the trip from Lisbon to Cascais:

2007-10-12T17:08:00.000+01:00

Miles, Tom & Simon gave the new members of the crew a safety brief arond the yacht.

Dropped our moorings to leave on the 11 am bridge opening, motored out into the Rio Jetu and then hoisted the mainsail, followed by to Jetu we hoisted one of our spinnnakers, practiced with a couple of jibes thrown in for good mesure.

The wind started to freshen and we had to harden in the main, but a stong gust caused us to broach, and unfortunately we bent one of the starboard stanchions in the process, which has since been repaired.