Twostar preparations drawing to a close

The hull numbers are on. The keel and rudder sporting a bright orange paint job. These are just some of the more visible aspects that show the culmination of 12 months of preparation for the two-handed transatlantic race.

Safety Checklists have been poured over time and again. A vast medical kit delivered to cater for every eventuality, including child-birth! US visas issued. Extra water tank installed. A new radar standing proud at the stern, watching over us.

But its not just the big items - the attention to detail is just as important. Spares, bulbs, nuts, bolts, screws, ropes, tapes, glues, tools....the list goes on. When you are over 1,000nm from the nearest store, you have to take the chandlery with you.

Jangada Too will be on her way to Plymouth this weekend, ready for the race start on 3 June. I'm certainly looking forward to the start now - no more worrying about getting the preparations right. Just single minded focus on our objectives:
1) to reach Newport safely without injury or major incident
2) to ensure Trevor & I are still on speaking terms, as this has to be fun
3) and to finish with a credible result against competitors that have extensive ocean racing experience.

Newport, here we come. The North Atlantic, bring it on!

Richard