Crossing the equator

In this image from the Clipper website Barry (back row, second from the left) celebrates with the Gold Coast Australia crew
as they cross the equator (ahead of the rest of the field)

Reports from the Clipper website continue to outline the excellent progress of the mighty Gold Coast Australia team. The following excerpts detail the celebrations as the team celebrated the crossing of the equator (a BIG event for 'yachties'). 

"It has been a momentous 24 hours, full of celebrations and memories that will last forever," enthuses Gold Coast Australia's skipper, Richard Hewson.

The leading trio of yachts have crossed the Equator and passed from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere, a major milestone for the non-professional crews on board and an important psychological one as their lead over the chasing pack continues to grow.

"Yesterday at midday saw us counting down the final northerly seconds and then cheering as the GPS ticked over from north to south and continued rising again. Gold Coast Australia was then visited by a very comical and well played King Neptune who demanded the crew's identity and then cleansed them of their sins before allowing the motley crew into his kingdom*.

"The party seemed to carry on into the afternoon, with people remaining on deck to chat, listen to music and eat the continuous supply of lollies and chocolate and drinking cans of soft drink that seemed to be appearing from various hiding spots around the boat.

"Morale on Gold Coast Australia has always been quite good, but after yesterday's festivity there is a new buzz in the air. The excitement for racing that we had on day one is back and everybody feels refreshed. Crossing the line came at the perfect time for us and the fact that people were able to relax and enjoy the day has really made a difference to the feeling on board, like having a weekend between two busy weeks at work.

"Throughout the festivities I imagine we lost a bit of ground. As I look at the track from 1300 to 1600 yesterday it is a bit wonky and slow but I think that little investment will pay big dividends as the crew is ready for the next half of the leg to Rio."

Maintaining that focus throughout a three and a half thousand mile race is tough. In no other sport do you find such extended durations where concentration is key.

...... The crew are revived, the boat is dry (well, reasonably) and now it's time for Gold Coast Australia to make some serious ground towards Rio."

*note: A “Crossing the Line” ceremony is often held when a ship crosses the equator. It commemorates a sailor's first crossing of the equator and usually involves a type of ‘baptism’ of those who have never crossed the Equator before and an initiation into the court of King Neptune.