Clemency Williams & Mini Skirt update
by Clemency Williams 24 May 2005 13:04 BST
There has been some good progress with Mini Skirt; I delivered the paint, supplied by Veneziani, up to Suffolk so the re-spray should be starting soon. The aim is to have her on the water by mid-June which is just a couple of weeks earlier than expected. Nigel Waller and his co-worker Paul have been working flat out to get her repaired as quickly as possible. We were very fortunate that the damage we uncovered was what we expected and not nearly as devastating as it could have been.
I have continued to work had on raising the rest of the budget, with an extra £2,500 for the insurance excess fee; it is not an easy job. I have been very fortunate and I have received a number of private donations which have been an enormous help, however I still need to raise in the region of £8,000 to get me to the start line. I have three new sails to buy, a generator, two tiller pilots, the insurance and shipping to pay for yet. As I have done throughout the campaign I am trying to worry too much and just keep my head and focus on the immediate needs for the project.
Meanwhile I have managed to get a little bit of Mini sailing in; I joined Nick Bubb on Whittlebury Hall. We sailed from Falmouth to La Rochelle in order for Nick to compete in the Mini Pavois. It was an exceptionally fast and exhilarating ride and we arrived in 44hrs, with a very high average speed. It was great to be offshore again and it was a good reminder of how intense Minis are to sail. It is very important that I spend every moment sailing when we are back on the water, time on the water is everything with these boats.
On the more mundane side of things the exams for my degree in Meteorology are upon me and I have spent many hours over the past four weeks with my head stuck firmly in my books and files. I cannot not pretend to enjoy revision, who does; but it has given me an opportunity to consolidate all that I have learnt over the past year. I have also used my time to run through aspects of the Transat such as First Aid. My medical supplies have been kindly given to me by BCD Medical Equipment and giving my new wardrobe of clothes, supplied by BURGS,
a good workout.
Thank you so much for all your support over the past couple of months I have had so many emails with encouraging words, thank you.
Clemency x
More Information: