The First 500 Nautical Miles by Woodvale May 9, 2009

The first 500 Nautical Miles by Woodvale
09 May 2009 11:41 BST

As we approach the end of the third week at sea, all seven boats taking part in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009 have now completed the first 500 nautical miles – a major milestone and a huge confidence boost to all of the competitors taking part.



With three classes for Solo, Pairs and Fours crews, plus one eight man out of class boat all competing in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009, the spread of the fleet after the first 3 weeks is extensive. Where as the Pairs Class boats – Boat No. 6 ‘Flying Ferkins’ and Boat No. 9 ‘Southern Cross’ have just completed their first 500 nautical miles, the three Fours class boats at the front of the fleet – Boat No. 13 ‘Pura Vida’, Boat No. 7 ‘Bexhill Trust Challenger and Boat No. 5 ‘Rowing For Prostrate’ are nearing the 1,000 nautical mile mark. This gives the fleet a 400 nautical mile spread from front to back and a similar distance across the width of the fleet.



At the top of the fleet it’s the Ocean Angels onboard Boat No. 13 ‘Pura Vida’ who continue to lead the race but Boat No. 7 ‘Bexhill Trust Challenger’ have now fixed their foot steering, meaning normal two up rowing shifts can resume. Ever so slightly, they are beginning to close the gap on the ladies, so watch out Ocean Angels, the boys are stalking you.



As temperatures of 30 degrees plus and long days of unbroken sunshine continue, the boys onboard Boat No. 5 ‘Rowing For Prostrate’ brave the shark infested waters of the Indian Ocean to clean the bottom of their boat.



Despite painting the hull of the boats with anitfoul, barnacles that attach to the bottom of the hull, which in turn cause drag and slow the boats down are a common problem for all ocean rowers. Therefore, if optimum boat speed is to be maintained, teams must clean the barnacles off the bottom of the boats at regular intervals during the crossing.



For a team of four, this task is less difficult as two enter the water, while the others keep watch for any unwanted visitors. However, for Solo rower, Simon Prior onboard Boat No. 3 ‘Old Mutual Endurance’, this is a far more dangerous task.



For all the positions of the boats competing in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009, please check the Progress page of this site daily.

Blob Watching by Woodvale May 8, 2009

Blob Watching
08 May 2009 14:23 BST

For the competitors taking part in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009, the focus over the next few months is crossing the race finish line and reaching Mauritius in the quickest possible time. However, for the many family members and friends watching from home, concern for the safety of their loved ones will occupy every minute of every day until they safely step foot back on dry land.



Although each crew must take a Satellite telephone as part of their mandatory kit, continuous and uninterrupted contact with the teams throughout the duration of the race is in no way guaranteed. The extreme conditions of the Indian Ocean and the shear length of the race takes its toll on all electrical equipment as salt erosion, water damage, power/charging issues and potential loss of equipment overboard are everyday possibilities.



For many watching from afar, the only daily contact they will have with their team is the little coloured dot that gradually makes its way across the map of the Indian Ocean on the Progress Page on this site – a pastime experienced by many who have followed previous Woodvale Ocean Rowing Races and aptly named Blob Watching.



Each boat competing in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race is also fitted with a tracking beacon, which runs off the boats mains power supply and automatically sends position data reports at regular intervals up to a Satellite. This data is then collected by a computer package, deciphered and then forwarded on to the IORR website for everyone to follow.



Technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years but like all electrical equipment, the race tracking is not full proof. The Indian Ocean is covered only by one Satellite; where as the Atlantic Ocean has three. There may be occasions, when the single satellite covering the Indian Ocean is not able to collect the data from the beacon (i.e. if the boat is not in clear view of the satellite). Equally, if the boat is experiencing power/charging problems, electrical equipment running off the boats mains power supply will be temporally unavailable until power has been restored.

Gaps in position reports can be extremely worrying and frustrating for family, friends and anyone watching the race via the website. However, please be patient and try not to worry as in most cases, position data will be restored within a few days.



At the time of writing this news report, Boat No. 7 ‘Bexhill Trust Challenger’ and Boat No. 6 ‘Flying Ferkins’ are not currently sending automatic position reports via their tracking beacons. However, Race HQ has been in regular contact with both crews who are fine and well, and automatic position reports for each team is expected to be restored shortly.

Good Weather and Great Spirits by Deb

Good Weather and Great Spirits by Deb May 2, 2009

I spoke to Angela and several others in the backround. The weather is better and they are heading west. Everyone seems to be in good spirits. Bernie said he was having fun! Angela says they all have sores in all the appropriate places. They are going to start a new tradition of "mooning" each boat that they pass and dropping in a fishing line. The good news is that the other boats can't actually see them, so I guess the mooning is just a ceremonial baring of the arse. Angela loves to fish, but I have yet to see her bring any fish home. In keeping with tradition, they did not catch anything on their fishing expedition. They have been hit by flying fish.

Easter Monday by Deb

Easter Monday, Para-Anchors, and Scilly Boys
2009 04 13

Today is Easter Monday. It is the 5th day of the Easter Holiday here in Geraldton. Most businesses (including the fabricator who is fixing our rigging plates) have been closed since Thursday. Grocery stores were closed Good Friday, and Easter Sunday and Monday. Even the bars were closed on Good Friday.

Today was the first day at the boat with everyone here. There was not as much work to do as James and Chris from Woodvale were working on the boat and we just seemed to get in their way. They were moving deck hatches (small round holes that give a place to put food and other stores). The rowing station closest to the back cabin had to be moved back (or forward as it may be---further from the back cabin) because there was no room for the rower in that position to slide and not hit the cabin with their hands.

Doug and his friend, John, worked on getting food ordered with Simon. They had to figure out the calories for each person and the weight of the food. The food for the 8 for 60 days =3 Million calories. The weight of the food will be about 600 kilograms. It will be a combination of freeze dried meals (backpacking type meals), non-cook meals and snacks to make up the 7500 calories or so each crew member will need each day.

There was training given by Woodvale on how to use para-anchors, drogues, the watermaker and how to manage their power whilst on the water. I’m sure this was very helpful, but I wasn’t there so that is all I have to say about that.

We went to the Freemason’s Bar (The official Crew Bar of the Indian Ocean Rowing Race) and ate dinner. It was the first time we had been out to eat since we got here. They have plates with hot stones on them. They serve your food raw and you cook your own on the stone. I was skeptical (imagine that) but it actually worked very well. I had a 2 inch steak and the stone stayed hot enough to cook my steak to even more than I really wanted. I realized that was why they gave you a plate to put the meat on when it was done to your specifications.

After dinner, Woodvale showed the video of the Scilly Boys rescue from June 2008. It was very interesting and nice to see a realistic look at life on the sea and what can go wrong. Simon also talked about his first Indian Ocean attempt when he capsized and had to cling to his hull for 16 hours before being rescued.

All and all a full day. I am looking forward to be able to find stores open when I go there today.

LA to Sydney to Perth

LA to Sydney to Perth
03/31 to 04/03

It was a whirlwind of activity in the Madsen household on the last day of March. JL Design, who was making the rowing clothing for the crew, got on a bit of a time crunch and was not able to deliver the Indian Ocean 8 crew’s clothing kits until nearly 5 PM the day of our departure from LAX. We were going through it, sorting it by crew member and packing the kits into suitcases, even as Paul came to take us to the airport. Lucas offered up Paul for our ride to the airport. We were hoping not to have a bunch of suitcases, but crew kits take space. Angela and I ended up taking three checked pieces of luggage and two carry on pieces each. Izetta Karp (Fresh Prince of Bel Air and numerous TV shows, movies and commercials) came by the house to bid us farewell. She helped with the last minute packing frenzy! We mashed everything into Paul’s car and were glad he did not have a small car. We did arrive at the airport timely and got all our heavy bags checked without incident. We flew with V Australia and it was an amazing experience. They have nice new 777 planes, good food, super employees and TV’s. Angela and I slept for about 10 hours of the flight (we had a bit of sleep deprivation for a few days before we left) and still had 4 hours to play games on the TV.

We arrived it Sydney at 8 am on 4/2. Wow, I gave up April Fool’s Day for this? After I got my rental car and Angela tried to get in the Driver’s side, all the Post Traumatic Stress came back from my Antigua time. Here too, they drive on the wrong side of the road. In Antigua it was the random goats and wild animals that presented my drive trouble, in Sydney it was the downtown traffic and one way streets. I turned on the windshield wipers every time I really just wanted to signal a change of lanes. I not sure people noticed though, as it was raining in Sydney and I am sure they just thought I was one of those rude non-signaling drivers. I just kept thinking…..”I’m turning, damn it, don’t you see my windshield wipers!”

When we got to the hotel we remembered all the things we forgot. US power strip, power converter, etc. The Sydney Marriott, Circular Quay Concierge helped us find a few stores and some food. We went to Darling Harbour and had a beer and some food. Dive bombing birds made it more like a sport than a lunch experience. They had tomato sauce, but not Caveman’s. We thought about demanding it by name, but we decided we should be in a country more than two hours before making demands.

It took me a while to get the computer up. It did not want to connect at the hotel. I was able to get some pics of Paul Cannon up on the website before we went to bed. We got up in the morning and went to the airport, without ever getting a picture of the Sydney Opera House. We got to the airport without incident, returned the car and got checked in by the nicest lady at Virgin Blue. I don’t know her name, but she was very helpful getting all the bags check and our seats moved. We are on the way to Perth now. The crew on this flight has been amazing. Michelle, Kate and Christie have really made this a pleasant flight. Angela is napping (5 hour flight from Sydney to Perth-3 hour time difference just like LA to NY) In Perth we are picking up Brian and Bernie to drive to Geraldton where we will be the next 18 days. I will take pics of us in the car. Angela and I filled up the car without passengers, so it should be interesting……