News update from Kingfisher Challenges to Dr Krumnacker
Segel.de
From: "Ellen MacArthur"
Well it seems incredible to think that just 12 months ago we were not so far
from the Southern Ocean, in New Zealand. It's also incredible to think that since then Kingfisher has been finished - launched, delivered - double-transated and now globe-ing it!
Once again a Christmas alone - though last time it was up in the Whatekeri
Mountain Range in New Zealand. I don't really know why I chose to be alone
last year too. I guess it was subconscious preparation for now. I was sitting in the cuddy the other day thinking...thinking about how much
time Kingfisher and I have spent together. Well we've sailed over 35
thousand miles - and providing all goes well and I finish the Vendee we'll
have spent over 6 months at sea in the past 12. That shocked me when I
thought it!
The past six years seems to have come into focus over the past weeks. In a
weeks time we'll be about half way round, again, incredible to think that
the trip is passing so quickly. Because the Vendee is quickening it's pace
I think we're finding time is flying by - though there are still those days
where it seems like home is a long, long way away (which it is!). About 8,200 miles as the crow flies from here, and a lot further by sea. It would have to be a very brave crow though - because setting off a journey from 50 degrees South could be a chilly affair - he would certainly need additional fuel tanks and a very warm scarf! Navigation though would be easy, as there are plenty of seabirds to ask directions from!
I pause to find something warmer to wear as I type, and I can't help
thinking that if I dry out this jacket one more time I shall have a
salt-crystal garden hanging from each of the sleeves!
This whole project has been one of the best experiences of my life.. I have
learnt more than I ever believed possible - worked with the best team I
could ever imagine, and have travelled the world - much of it under sail.
In a way that makes this all sound very easy... but in fact it's been the
hardest thing I've ever done too... Part of that out here, because for the
first time I my life I feel I've found my limit, and the decision making, and sheer number of jobs we had to get through to be here right now. I have to thank the team for basically dedicating their lives to the project An awesome effort.
So we're here - thanks to everyone, and it's my turn to get round quickly
and safely. I am finding the race to be the most incredible experience.
It's difficult but rewarding. The pace of this race is like no other.
Though we have a long way to go, we are racing like a transatlantic..
Incredible pace, crazy speeds and - with every one of us a will to get to
the finish - a difficult job to balance.
The hardest thing of all is the constant decision making, the relentless
movement... It's not like we get a chance to relax. Tactically a small
mistake can cost us hundreds of miles.. Errors just can't be made.. It
would be a very different situation if it were not a race out here!!
I'd also like to dedicate my Christmas day to the guys that are no longer in the race. The effort, commitment and energy it takes to get to a start line can only be understood by those that have done it. To have the dream (temporarily) broken is so tough. To Bernard, Richard, Yves (well still in but not winning!), Javier, Eric, Patrick, Raphael and also to Pete Goss and his team - my thoughts are with you guys. I'm so lucky to still be out here. Thanks Kingfisher!
Finally I'd like to wish every one of you out there a Happy Christmas. It
shall feel strange opening my presents alone, and as my heaters broken
there's little chance of Santa popping down the chimney - the broken heater exhaust has got a bung in it now anyway!
Thank you all so much for your thousands of messages. I cannot thank you
enough - I just hope you can feel what a difference they make to life out
here.. When things are tough I really feel like I'm not alone - and your
energy and support shines through every time.. thank you. Especially you CASTO Kids in France - you know I'm thinking of you a great deal.
I just hope that we can hang in here, and catch those others up before we
get home! Now that would be the perfect gift for Xmas.
Take care,
Merry Christmas and here's to fast and warm sailing in 2001!
love
ellen
[Ellen is patron of A Chacun Son Cap, association in France for young children with long term and serious illnesses - we hope you can read the information about them at http://www.ellenmacarthur.com and help them and the Casto Kids around the 10 French hospitals we support as much as you can this Christmas]
Latest image : XMAS MESSAGE FROM ELLEN
Please see attached low resolution image, if you would like this in high resolution it can be collected from :
http://64.23.31.215/cgi-bin/ftp/4/1995high_em.jpg
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