It’s the middle of November and it’s 30 degrees outside which can only mean one thing – the VELUX 5 OCEANS team have decamped to the Southern Hemisphere! We’re now fully set up in Cape Town, South Africa, awaiting the arrival of the skippers after a month alone at sea. Brad won the 7,400-mile leg on Saturday after a painful approach to the finish line which saw him totally becalmed, sails flapping, about eight nautical miles out. A few of us went out on a chase boat to welcome Brad in and found him slumped over a winch, fists pounding the deck, wailing “Life’s not fair!”
Brad flapping around off Cape Town
After all that time at sea with no company, no decent food, no shower, no change of clothes, it’s no wonder Brad was frustrated. Thankfully the wind finally filled in and at 5.51pm local time he crossed the line to claim the victory. Today we’re gearing up for Gutek’s arrival. It’s looking likely to be a night-time arrival which could make for some brilliant pictures with Cape Town lit up in the background.
Anyway, in other news we’ve got a new look in the VELUX 5 OCEANS offices – the moustache is back. The reason for the very dodgy 1970s porn king look is not just for fun, although I’m sure you will all agree we look pretty damn good. This month is not November, it’s actually Mo-vember, the month of the moustache. All around the world men grow their ‘taches to raise awareness of and funds for prostate and testicular cancer. Of course it’s also look stupidly cool too without too much come-back. Let’s face it guys, we’ve all wanted to grow a moustache but never been allowed. Now is that time! Check out these pics of the team…
Me hard at work, moustache on show
So the rules are simple: start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. There is a serious side to Movember though, and the moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, so we’re doing our bit to raise much needed funds for the Prostate Cancer Charity. So, if you want to donate to Movember go to www.movember.co.uk or www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.
Crisis planning! Calling Brad with communications director Tim Kelly
All for now!
Will
PS. Yet again I promise to write more often… sorry!
PPS. Thanks to the amazing photographic talents of Anna-Helene Kirk and Ainhoa Sanchez for the pics
Really nice look – both you Will and Tim-The-Boss
))
Hello there! Greeting to you and the team here from ice cold Denmark. De-frosting the car in the morning, de-frosting the car after work. Therefore it’s nice to think of Cape Town and you lot enjoying the sun….;-)
Waiting for Gutek ….GO GUTEK!
Take care, Will.
Love Lotschen (I’m in my German mood)
Thanks for the ongoing updates as the race has progressed. Is there any chance of having the weather pattern super imposted over the race carse, gives the arm chair race an opertunity to understand some of the moves they are making and why.
Thanks
Andrew
while we look forward to the shortest day of the year in the northern climates, (Edmonton Canada), we anxiously wait for the next leg to begin. I check in every morning and evening for updates and as former marathon runner feel some of emotions any human will feel when challenging themselves far beyond previously perceived limits. Congratulations to all of the skippers and back up crews to achieve the finish of the 1st leg. You are never totally alone out there, many supporters from around the world are always with you heart and soul
good luck and go for it