Hello from Spirit of Canada

Finally, I’m able to get to a computer and file a report to let everyone know how the Spirit of Canada team is doing. I apologize for taking so long to do this as I appreciate that people are interested in what is happening. Basic resources like the Internet have been very problematic since arriving.

Here is a recap of events since my last filed report regarding landfall on the southern tip of Tasmania. I was able to motor the last 80 miles or so across the south side of Tasmania and then north to Hobart, arriving around 3 a.m. Sunday morning. A rigid inflatable with staff and volunteers from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania met me at the mouth of the Derwent River and assisted with getting me to a slip at the yacht club in Hobart. Many thanks to the RYCT for their kind assistance and help thus far.

Patianne had arrived in Hobart from Halifax only two hours earlier after 24 hours in airplanes. It was great to see her and have her support so quickly after arrival. Sunday and Monday are just blurs in my mind as I slowly cleared the fuzziness out of my head and started to adjust to land again after 50 some odd days at sea and the shock of the retirement from the race.

Slowly we are starting to work through the different options with regard to the way forward. I have been in contact with the mast builder in North America and we have determined that we need to take the mast out of the boat and do a thorough check of the masts and rigging. Some of the composite rigging has been compromised by the sharp edges of the broken spreaders so we will have to order some new cables before the boat can go sailing again. The logistics of how to get the boat home is more problematic and will take a while longer before we can make a decision on how to do this.

I have tried to get through the hundreds of emails that are in my inbox wishing us well and suggestions/questions on how to help. I really appreciate each and every one of them and over time hope to answer most of them if I can. I will be filing regular updates to let everyone know what is happening. Again, many thanks and I really appreciate your interest in Spirit of Canada. If you would like to contact me directly to discuss any form of assistance, please send me an email: derek@spiritofcanada.net

Take care,

Derek