Steve Round The World

11/07/2014

1st place for race to London and 2nd for sailing around the WORLD!
The whole team is happy and can't wait to see you all :)

25/06/2014

Best regards from Ireland! Lovely Guiness here!
Thank you all for your kind support messages, really appreciate it.
It is not too long before I see you all!! :)

02/06/2014

Oh my word, what a nail biter, after nearly seven days of some of the most intense racing I can remember in a long time, we finally crossed the finish line in second place a few miles behind Henri Lloyd. Regards to all from New York!!! Steve

08/05/2014

1st again and very very happy with the overall race standing! :)

16/04/2014

Very happy indeed!

14/03/2014

Well, we are at the end of Leg 5, and have sailed 28,000 miles (a
long way!!!!!!!!!) and made it 1st to China :) . It is cold here, but Qingdao
is a great place. It was the home of the 2008 Olympics sailing (a bit
like Portland, but bigger..... population 8 million)

It was eventful race from Brisbane, with the stop-over in Singapore,
and having to divert to Hong Kong for some rig inspections and tweaks.
The race has had everything and been one of the toughest legs yet with
the heat, cold, squalls, duration, and changes to the race. The team
really pulled together, especially on the way up from Singapore. We
were in a battle with Derry for some of that, but managed to pull away
and win the elapsed time race.

The seas around China are busy, and one the most memorable incidents
was when we were sailing at night and had lots of small visible lights
on the bow which appeared to be far away boats until I shone the
search light on one to find it was rather close and a little fisherman
furiously sculling to manoeuvre his "salad bowl" coracle out of our
path. We were threading our way though a mass of one-man boats lit
with small torches!

Leading the watch has been difficult at times, but thoroughly
rewarding. The best time is when we were heading towards the
Philippines in the Sulu Sea, and the team had perfected rapid
"reefing" when we were faced by a squall. The squalls could hit in a
matter of minutes, and fast and controlled reefing (reducing sail) is
essential to keep control of the boat. We were able to knock-in reefs
within minutes, keeping the boat fast and safe.

And one other major success, we now carry a spare water-maker pump
after my request! So hopefully, plenty of water for the Pacific and
less time in the engine room!

My camera has vanished, last seen somewhere before Singapore, so I am
arranging to get access to other photos.

I am still raising money for my chosen charities, so don't forget to
sponsor me at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveMabey

Steve

13/03/2014

15/02/2014

Hi all,
Well we are in Singapore after a tough trip up from Brisbane. It was 32 days at sea which is the longest yet.

We had all types of issues including no wind, lots of wind, massive squalls which came in fast and winds went from 20kts to 50kts in seconds, water spouts (video of one to come), knock downs by the water spout (boat went from +18degree heel -81 degree!!), exhausting heat, water maker failures (not me!!), pirates, fleets of fishing boats many were, unlit, drift nets, motoring, and rudder problems.

We had a tense finish with Henri Lloyd, at night racing to the line just minutes apart. We were a few hundred metres from them and could see their lights and they ours.

Relaxing in Singas for a bit and today heading to Bangkok to visit Tom (no 2 son who is on his placement year there). Seems strange to leave the boat, if only for a few days.

We depart on Wednesday 19th for China - which is expected to be a tough one with temperatures dropping to near freezing.

Hope all well, and keep following us on yellowbrick.

Steve

25/12/2013

He I am in my Sydney-Hobart race start suit........!!! Departing in a few hours :) Merry Xmas to you all! Hugs, Steve

25/12/2013

He I am in my Sydney-Hobart race start suit........!!! Departing in a few hours :) Merry Xmas to you all! Hugs, Steve

23/12/2013

Looking good! Very happy with the progress, status and race standing..........Wished that you my friends were here......

17/12/2013

Arrived! See if you can spot your friend on this photo???