Report from Ariel at 0800BST 9 June

Ariel and Antiope have now made contact after spell with no communications between them. They are 5 miles apart and heading for the SW corner of Ireland. They currently have 122 miles to run to Mizzen Head. It was a very bumpy night with both boats heeled over to starboard and with lots of water coming over the decks and cockpit. Despite the rather hash initiation everyone is now settling down nicely and looking forward to the depression moving NE to Scotland.

The crews are certainly being thrown into it straight away but this is always the way. Unfortunately the sea does not have access to the yachts programme which required a nice gently wind from the South to let everyone work themselves in steadily. This evening when they turn the corner the motion will be much kinder and the forecast for the next few days looks as though some better weather is on the way. It always takes a few days to settle down on a passage like this and the crews will be falling into their routine of watch keeping, sleeping and (for most) eating. One of the most difficult task is getting all your foul weather gear on while the boat crashes over the waves.

Please look on the home page for details about communications to the yachts. When you send Emails to people you may wish to refer then to www.clipper-ventures.com so they too can follow the two boats progress.

If you are bookmarking this to use on a regular basis you will find it easier to enter using www.clipper-ventures.com/greenland

Any points please contact me at cdemowbray@clipper-ventures.com

Bingo

CdeM