Oy Vey! Vot can ve say?....

First a soothing piccie to relax by....

Sunset from Cabana Resort, Race HQ at San Fernando

This was our third time in an Offshore race with Xena and we still chase the Line Honours and Corrected Time double for our Division in an Offshore race, something we have managed in some inshore races (eg here).  First race in '09 we were second over the line and first on corrected time.  Second race in '10 we were first over the line and second on corrected.  This race, we were Line Honours and third corrected.  We were also third overall across the line after the TP52s, which are out-and-out racing yachts. (*).
RESULTS

Greetings from Grant and Iris

Just in from Grant and Iris, thought I'd post as has lovely thoughts and photo....

Dear Peter and Jing,
Good luck for the race, will be thinking of you.
Have an enjoyable and safe one.
Hopefully your sunrise on the first morning out will be like this one attached herewith.
All the best , Grant and Iris.

Five Days to go

It was the evening of the day.... sunset over IFC 2, Jing's office.
9th April after the Pursuit Race.  Note the guy fishing in centre
 (click to enlarge)

[Update 18 April: some photos of the MOB practice from Cess, with thanks!]
Last I posted was two weeks ago, goodness me, where has the time gone?
Well, part of it getting out and about with son John, who is back on Term break, from the UK.  Walks in mountains with dogs... enjoying Hong Kong's great food.

But, back to Xena, the sum of last few weeks: [for all photos click to enlarge; click again for further enlargement].

SFR Preparations update

Xena nearing San Fernando, 2009, which we won.
Click to enlarge.

Quick update of where we stand, with 19 days to go to the 20th April start.

Crew: all fixed over a week ago, and submitted to Alex in Sailing Office, who says: "All looking good - a very strong crew!" and indeed it is, with 66 Cat One races between us, including numerous Hobarts, Middle Sea, Fastnets, Vietnam, China Sea and Lord Howe. Crew list is here.

Scrutineering and documents: the "buddy check" done last Tuesday (29 March) with Tom Wiesinger.  Tom was with us on Xena last time around in '09, this time going with his own lovely Vega.  The Head Scrutineer is Nigel Reeves, and he will be in touch with me to do the formal scrutineering check next week.

All other documents have been submitted and are in order -- thanks to all for getting relevant docs to me so quickly.  Next step on that is the Immigration clearance on the 19th April.  Michael ("MC Dangar") and I are also doing updates of our First Aid course, so we'll be five with First Aid Certificates and no less than SEVEN with the Safety and Sea Survival Certificate.