My Passport arrived back from the US Embassy this morning with a Visa so I depart early tomorrow morning! Goodbye sunshine - hello Ice!
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"We are proud sponsor of Richard Nicolson’s North West Passage record breaking attempt, pleased to be involved in the ecological studies, whilst making our small contribution to The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Datasharp have supplied an Iridium satellite phone for the expedition." Datasharp Integrated Communications are part of a national group with huge resources and purchasing power, whilst giving clients the exceptional levels of service and support you would expect from their local friendly dealer. Since 1980 Datasharp has built its reputation on supplying clients with exactly the communications package they need to carry their businesses forward. We offer industry leading technology and systems that are cutting edge yet proven, feature packed yet dependable, efficient, designed for purpose and cost effective. But it’s much more than that. Above all it’s about relationships. We thrive on and value the reciprocal partnerships that develop between us and our clients as we support them and they learn to trust us implicitly. It’s what makes us tick… Having a National presence places Datasharp in an enviable position. Our current suppliers constantly strive to offer us the highest level of support to keep us one step ahead of the technology and opposition, and other manufacturers are always keen to forge relationships with us, allowing us to offer our clients the latest and best voice and data technology. Our emphasis has always been on exceptional service, i.e. customer satisfaction in both the products we supply and the support we give. All the technology we supply has Remote Diagnostics capability as standard and our constantly staffed helpdesk can always dial in and remotely problem solve and mend. This is supported by local field engineers to resolve matters should they require a site visit. As a gauge of the quality of the work we carry out, only 5% of all our engineering time is taken up with fault repair and diagnosis. Datasharp offers a full service that covers consultancy, project management, sales, installation, maintenance and training; which means from the moment you contact us we’re there to support and advise you. Call Freephone 08000 328 274 or email support@datasharp-ic.co.uk www.datasharp-ic.co.uk Datasharp Integrated Communications Introduction article in the Isle of Wight County Press - when communications allow I hope to be able to get updates to them during the expedition. Here's the article online. So the warm (dare I say hot!) weekend was spent finalising all things domestic (bear in mind I will have three months without a postal service or the ability easily to pay the bills), checking and double checking my kit list, ensuring as much as possible is packed in water proof liners (see image left of basic personal kit prior to packing) and collecting last minute spares requested from the team already languishing in Nome, Alaska. In theory I am to depart tomorrow, HOWEVER as of now I don't have my US visa, nor my passport both which are at the US Embassy - so it looks like a day or two of travel delay which in the current weather I normally wouldn't mind, however the ice is starting to recede and the crew are patiently waiting for me, furthermore what I thought were good value one way air tickets are now about to become much more costly. However safe to say we are definitely on count down! Well what a week! Kit has arrived from SLAM... thanks to all of the team, in particular James for putting it together and supporting the expedition in so may ways - more to follow on the SLAM kit performance in the Arctic - but it is of great quality and design. Main issue (and I won't dwell on it in case I come up against a wikileaks scenario): BUT the US London Embassy have created a load of hurdles to my trip - as of now I can't get a visa... but as the ice is still thick in Alaska, and this is just another challenge to make it all successful. Thank you all for the huge fund raising success so far for the Ellen MacArthur Trust.. with gift aid included we are very close to half way of the target (perhaps we should think of increasing the target... please continue to support, donate and help this wonderful charity that REALLY makes a difference! I went to the dentists today - the ladies running and managing the reception there were so enthusiastic about the trip... go on girls get the surgery to advertise the great fund raising cause! So I have a little time out on Sunday - off to The Goodwood Festival of Speed.... talk about chalk and chease! In August I am flying out to Nome, Alaska to complete a lifelong ambition to transverse the infamous North West passage East to West through the ice-laden Arctic Ocean.
The NW passage was first successfully crossed in 1903-06 by Norwegian; Roald Amundsen. The route between the Atlantic and Pacific has long held commercial trading route opportunities however today remains a barren wilderness that remains little explored. There have been numerous stories of failure. In recent decades the effects of global warming and the melting of the ice has enabled more transits to be successful, but in the main these have been in commercial craft or custom steel or aluminum yachts. This expedition will be the return passage (East to West successfully completed in 2012) for a production, glass fibre 33’ yacht – which in itself on successful completion will be record-breaking firsts. The total number of transverses recorded to 2011 is 160. The expedition, in a true Corinthian spirit, is by a self-contained team of five people, entirely self reliant and self-funding. In addition, the Arctic ocean seabed has had little, if any research. The expedition will include the surveying and videoing of the seabed, in particular around glacier outfalls to determine the effect of the ice on the seabed and investigate what marine plants and sea life exist. This data will be recorded using a specially designed underwater camera for analysis by a specialist marine biologist on completion. I will in due course be announcing exciting news in regards to raising funds for an excellent charity, however in the meantime I am therefore looking for sponsors in kind or significant equipment discounts to assist in preparation of the expedition. 2012 the year of the London Olympics took me landside project manageing the catering infrastructure - 142 kitchens across the venues. Now back to some sailing exploits!
It's October already, though the weather is almost Spring like. August and September were hectic months for me. The main August project was getting the J109 through Cowes week undamaged and on to the Fastnet. Both were achieved despite some blustry Cowes week weather. The FAstnet was a great tactical race, we were in the top 20 all the way to the final hours but lost out when we had to kedge mid channel in 80m of water. Nevertheless we brought back the boat in good condition as 23rd in class with only a broken cooker gimbal (which I managed to repair during the race much to the relief of the crew who didn't fancy dry freeze dried food!),
Much of September was spent in the Med. Sailing aboard the beautiful Anker designed 1925 "Leonore" also previously known as Cotton Blossom II rebuilt a few years back by Dennis Conner. We raced at the Monaco Classic, Panerai Reggatta Royale Cannes and LesVoiles de St Tropez. With a second in Monaco and two firsts in Canne and St Tropez we left elated, depite light and flukey winds for much of the racing. Yesterday I had an interesting race across the solent with the record breaking L'Hydroptere trimaran. The famous multi record holder, capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots had one reef and staysail up and still managed to track between Calshot spit and the Medina entrance at averages of between 23 and 30 kts. The crew - and what looked like guests stood around quite nonchalantly as I crested the RIB to get ahead and take some piccies.
Looks like the Azores and Back race (AZAB) could be a flyer... having bumped into Chris Tibbs the other day pleased to see they're flying. Actually quite jealous and now on the list to do in 2015!
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Richard Nicolson - Sailing West to East across the North West Passage in aid of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Copyright of Richard Nicolson, 2013. You may not reproduce, republish, modify, archive, distribute, store or exploit the Content without prior written consent. These Terms and/or your use of the Site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and the English Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute which may arise. SponsorsArchives
October 2013
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