WET AND WINDY!!

The crew have suffered some very bad weather this past week. With 30 knot winds and 6 metre waves!! The whole fleet was stalled all having to deploy the para anchor's. These anchor's helps to keep the bow facing to the weather and to help stop the boat rocking so much. All the boats survived although one of the doubles did capsize. Although they were upside down for 7 minutes the boat was eventually righted. 

They are all on the way again, Audeamus have really put the power on with 81 nautical miles completed yesterday. 

We spoke to Helen this morning and she seems in good spirits, she said she is suffering with claw hands and it takes her about 10 minutes every morning to get her hands straight (her bum is sore as well) 

As of tonight they are closing down on the 3 boats in front and they are only 21nm and 32nm behind Pura Vida and RFP respectively. The gap between them and Bexhill is now down to 177nm and hopefully they will catch them within the next week or so. 

We will keep you informed and don't forget Helen still would like messages of support for her and the crew. These are invaluable to the morale on board. 

Please visit www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow to donate to Helen's chose charity Scope. Or if you wish to donate directly to Helen e-mail tayice@gtbarton.fsnet.co.uk for further details.

GO GIRL!

Things have progressed quite quickly since the last update, Audeamus has reached the magical milestone of 1000nm (nautical miles) and at this time of updating it stands at 1034nm. They are now only 237nm behind the lead boat and the prediction is that they will catch them up around 28th. May and arrive in Mauritius around the 15th June. NOTE there is still a long way to go - another 2/3rds of the Indian Ocean. Please visit a new site set up for Audeamus www.mt-hood.com. This site gives you speed indicators and predictions when she is due to arrive (the site is still growing and looking good)
Many, many thanks to all who are sending Helen messages of support, she really appreciates these. We spoke to Helen yesterday (13th May) she has had a couple of days when her spirit was low due to being wet and cold, as they have had some rough weather (and she thought "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE") but she now sounds much better now, the sun is shinning althought the sea is still rough, all the crew are supporting each other. Anyone who knows Helen, will know how dedicated and single minded she can be and this will see her through.
Many thanks to Jonathan at Suffolk Free Press for the update on Helen and the row but please note that my name is Hazel not ALEX!!!! not sure where that came from?
We are now thinking of booking flights to Mauritius, can't wait to see her.
Don't forget she is still trying to raise money for Scope Short Breaks in Bury St Edmunds - you can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow.
We will update soon.

HELEN CALLING

We have, at last, had a phone call from Helen (even if it was 5am) she sounded in good spirits. She was shaken by the knockdown that occured on the 1st. May but she is fine now. Although they are now having to row with 3 sliding seats and 1 fixed seat, we think it must be a race to get to position and the loser gets the fixed seat. They reckon rowing like this sucks!! Land support are now appealing for family/friends to send a message to Helen and the crew to show support. Don't forget the website is www.piraterow.com to get the latest news and tracking. They are now starting to overtake some of the other boats and closing in on the rest. Today is day 9 and they have 2688 nm to the finish!!!!!!!!!!!

OFF AND RUNNING

Mum and Dad reporting: This is day 6 of the challenge, unfortunately we have not been able to speak to Helen yet as we were not at home when she tried to contact us by satellite phone on Saturday 2nd. She did speak to her Uncle Ross and said that she was fine and unhurt after being hit by a huge wave (approx 50ft) on Friday 1st. which almost caused a capsize. Apart from breaking an oar, losing one sliding seat and seat cushions, all is well. The crew were shaken by the experience fortunately no-one was hurt and they are all in good spirits and back rowing pulling hard (71nm) in last 24 hours.
We have reports that all the crew are sore in the places that they thought they would be sore i.e. hands and bums!!!!!!!!
We have it on good authority that as they are now starting to catch boats they will be "Mooning" every time they pass one (could be a big shock for the flying fish)
Please keep the messages of support coming as Helen will need all the encouragement and inspiration she can get.
If anyone would like to contact us please do so on tayice@gtbarton.fsnet.co.uk.
We will next update after we have spoken to her. Hopefully within the next few days.

Last message

Leaving at 2300 BST Monday so 0600 Aussie time on Tues. Argh!

If i don't get to update the blog too much whilst i am away or the parents don't get to speak to me then you can see more info at http://indianocean8.blogspot.com/ which is going to be the crew blog.

Incredibly excited and can't wait. A big thank you to everyone who has got me here-i won't let you down. Expect me to be in Mauritius in around 40-50 days!

Helx

still in aus

Hi

I've managed to find internet for a few minutes so tohught i'd drop by to update you. Mum and Dad have been doing agrand job but put the wrong sat phone number! So unless you want to message the Kiwi boat use this one instead 881631670766. I've changed it below. More news from Aus and it's expected that we will leave in the early hours on Sat morning ie 0300 Aus time (2000 GMT). The storm coming in is pretty big and of the local fishing boats are returning to harbour before tonight. 2 crews are back so far-Mick one of the solo guys had rudder and steering issues so has come back and is hoping to sort them out in time to leave again with us. He has been disqualified from the race but is determined to complete the crossing anyway. Roger and Tom from Dream It Do It were flown back yesterday after Roger broke some ribs whilst falling on desk. They were hit by a huge wave and he was thrown onto the side. Also news this morning that the Aussie crew who were leading are being towed back due to a leak. It just shows how tough this race is. Everyone else is doing really well though and are past the Abrolhos Islands and heading away from the strong currents around Aus. Really can't wait to get started now and it's just frustrating sitting back here. Lots to do still to get the boat ready (packing the food is taking forever and no idea how it's all going to fit in!).
Hopefully the next message you'll get will be saying we've left and the adventure has begun!

IT'S NOT PLAIN SAILING

Internet connections to Australia are not good but we have spoken to Helen twice this week and she seems to be in good spirits and desperate to go.!!!!!!!!!!!!
The crew are bonding well and have made friends with the crews of the other boats and despite the rivalry they have all helped each other prepare the boats for the race.
Monday 19th April saw the start of the race with 10 boats leaving the start line with a rousing farewell. Crafts of all sizes gave them a good send off. Audeamous was given a little trip on the ocean when they rowed out to say farewell to the other boats. It proved to be a good trial as she seems to be a fast boat. Helen found this to be emotional, saying goodbye to new found friends.
Just to prove how difficult ocean rowing is less than 36 hours into the race, already 2 of the boats have had to drop out for various reasons.
On top of that, with bad weather forecast for the West of Australia, Audeamous departure has now been delayed until Friday which all the crew are find frustrating.
So, it looks like Friday 24th April at approx 11am WA time (5am BST) with hopefully good weather and a fair breeze will see Audeamus and crew start their record attempt.
In an e-mail to us Helen has asked us to say that she and the crew will be in need of inspiration before and during the voyage. Therefore, has requested friends, family and acquaintances contact her on the boat via sat phone at www.iridium.com, go to top right corner, select send a satelite message, complete the details and enter the phone no. 881631670766 - enter message and send. All this is free of charge.
Don't forget also messages can be sent to www.piraterow.com, select guestbook and also on www.indianoceanrowingrace09.com , crew messages, here you can also track all the boats, receive the latest news and view the excellent photo gallery.
We will update again when the Audeamus has left Geraldton.