Entries by Paul Cayard

It is Christmas Eve and it doesn’t feel like it

Pirate Update, Cape Town December 24, 2005 It is Christmas Eve and it doesn’t feel like it…at least not for all us Northern Hemisphere people. It is a bright sunny day and the sun came up at 0500 and will set around 2100. But it is really nice down here and Africa is a very […]

Very Good Couple of Days

We have had a very good last couple of days here in Cape Town and The Black Pearl is all back together. As per the plan she went in the water today and the team is set to go sailing tomorrow. Paul Cayard The Black Pearl Skipper

The 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race is Off and Running

Seahorse December 2005 The 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race is off and running. Last weekend during the Sanxenxo In-Port race, we got our first glimpse at the differences between the boats. There are obviously some different designs out there but there are also some more subtle differences between boats of the same design philosophy. The most […]

Pirate Crew Arrived in Cape Town

Most of the Pirate crew arrived in Cape Town yesterday to join the shore team, some of whom have been here since the 25th of November. We have a great set up here again thanks to the help of Pescanova. Our boat is inside a purpose built shed with all of our containers around it […]

The Black Pearl Arrived in Cape Town

The Black Pearl arrived in Cape Town yesterday, November 27 after an uneventful flight on the Antonov 124. She was then transported to “Pirate City”, in the harbor area, which will be our base of operations for the next four weeks. We again want to thank our partner Pescanova for their generous and useful support […]

The Damage to The Black Pearl-Cascais

After properly inspecting the Black Pearl, we are now in a position to report on the damage. 1. Bulkhead C, midway from the bow to the mast, has broken. There was shearing of the frame along with compression of the – vertical beam. 2. The “bomber doors” which seal the Keel box at the hull, […]

Cascais, Portugal November 15, 2005

We have now been in port for 36 hours. I know there are a lot of stories, rumors and thoughts going on around the water cooler so I thought I would give you my perspective to add to your daily conversation. A couple of facts first: 1. This is a race on points not time. […]

The Black Pearl has safely arrived to Cascais

The Black Pearl has safely arrived to Cascais, and we are fully committed to returning to the Volvo Ocean Race as soon as possible.The shore team has arrived with our tools, clothes, containers and has set up an infrastructure so we are functional. Engineers from Farr International as well as boat builders from Green Marine […]