Alison's boat wins first place to Freemantle

[Admin]

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/news/article/unicef-achieves-m...

"I never quite envisaged that anything I undertook in my Sixties would require me using a rope ladder to access it. However when the boat is heeled on Starboard tack it's the only way to get up aloft.

Now in Fremantle having won the race from Capetown after some spectacular sailing and I can't believe how calmly we all accept 70+knot gusts and the boat on its ears. Just another day at the office! Also some lovely sunny spells and easy sails. However for the last two days we could see the opposition on the horizon and had to do anything and everything to keep ahead - including sailing spinnakers way beyond their tolerances and upwind! It worked.

Given the race included a sad death on another boat and a very very close call on ours, not to mention the grounding and destruction of a third boat, I expect it is becoming clear that this enterprise is not a walk in the park. However, having discovered I am a wave junkie, I confess I am having a whale of a time. (Smelled rather than saw one of those too)."

Alison Purseglove