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'Hi Mike, Chris
Congratulations to all the crew on board, job well done. I have been following you from the comfort of the beaches villas of Koh Samui, Thailand. Visiting some old mates. What a wonderful culture!!! Have fun in Rio!!! Cheers' - Timothy
'Fantastic result - many congratulations team Leopard' - Carl
'Hi Leopard crew, well it looks like you blokes done it, breaking the record and finishing first. But you were lucky Mike, well you had my nephew Jan Dekker on board, best bowman out. Congratulations Jan, I think you enjoyed this race better than that Volvo cruise they are doing now, better conditions on board to I think. Well all the best to you and your mates on Leopard' - Jack
'A real joy to watch. Next you'll want to cycle up Ditchling Beacon Hill (or something mad like that!).' - David
'Fantastic news Mike - congratulations to all your crew. Regards' - Mike
'CONGRATULATIONS! Fantastic!!
What a mission accomplished. Best wishes to all and enjoy the Party Party Party.
Love' - Morgan and Jo
'Congratulations on a great effort to set a new course record, no doubt the piss up will be equally monumental! Just don’t let Sherl near any chairs!!' - Matthew
'Hi Mike,
Wonderful news well done, you must be chuffed to bits. You really didn't have enough time to get a descent sun tan!! Look forward to catching up with you when you get back.
Regards and good wishes to Chris and the crew.' - Dick
'Chris,
Our family, Noah and Eva included, have been watching the race and reading Leopard's daily updates. Congratulations on a superb effort, and a great boat. You all must be so very proud...and so very tired. And to think, we chartered with you when Leopard was an Ocean 80... We have so many wonderful memories of all of our charters with you and Louise, and hope to see you in New York in the spring.' - Dick and Judith and the entire family
'Mike and crew,
Slow down!! ... Carnival doesn’t begin until Feb 19th!!! Sitting here in London, watching it all going down the pan... I wish I was on the boat on my way to Bahia.
Have a Caipirinha for me. Tchau' - Richard
'Mike please come back and rescue this sinking equity market…FTSE off -1% BUT property shares down over 6%! Back to reality, I hope you're already ashore celebrating hard and quenching that victory thirst. Good luck!' - Carl and the real estate team
'Go big beautiful cat, go.' - Anita
'Dear Mike and all,
we’ve been following progress and wishing we (or some of us) were with you rather than sitting in London watching more market carnage. Best of luck and wind!' - Patrick
'Hi
Bravo zulu.
Capt Matt Heyns SA Navy' - Skipper Voortrekker 1973
'Go, Leopard, go!
You AND Barack Obama, sail on...' - Morgan and Jo
'Dear Mike, Chris and the crew
I am sitting on the edge of my seat, just waiting to hear you have arrived in Salvador all in one piece, and in record time too. I read your daily emails on your website to check what your positions were. The official website is a little out of touch. Its been wonderful doing all the flights for the crew members, speaking to Louise daily on email, to do the changes. Life will be quiet when this race is over. Hope Sarah arrived safely last night in Salvador with all the bags, so she will be there to cheer you in. Mike says he will miss the porridge, did you have time to do any fishing along the way? or was the boat not standing still long enough? Seems the Cruising fleet have done some fishing regards' - Angela
'Mike
Hope all that hard work has paid off and that you will still be able
to dance the night away when you finally hit port!!
It has been amazing and fun tracking your speedy crossing on the net,
lets hope you come back with no injuries!' - Best wishes from all at Physio Remedies.
'Hi Mike, Chris, Paul and long suffering crew
Nail biting stuff - will you make it in 10 days? Much enjoyed following your progress and very best of luck with the final few hours. keep an eye out for Shrimper which may have arrived yesterday!' - Much love Rob & Jen
'Hi Jeremy
Showed Jake and Paddy the Leopard web site and they said you weren't moving and went back to The Simpsons! Gave Jake a boxing lesson and he promptly laid Paddy out with a right hook to the solar plexus!! Sacha says he will get expelled if he does it to a boy at school. You must have been tempted to jump ship and join Sam. Do the 400 miles today. Good luck to all.' - Dad
'Dear Leopard Crew
We are all so proud of you guys back here in cape town!
Incredible to see pictures of that beautiful monster sailing away with such force... mesmerised by it all really! Please send excitement and love to my digsmate Joe Heywood (wow im going to get tuned for this), but wow, so worth it. Cant wait to hear when the eagle has landed!' - Love Alex
'Hi Mike,
We've been watching your progress - well done to you and all of the Leopard crew. PS Caught any big fish? Lots of love' - Annie & Christopher xxx
'GO Leopard Go, get afterburners on, Wish I was there, please have one on me (Mike to send bill), drink I mean not feline pleasure!! Cheers' - Brett
'Hullo to the yacht Leopard and its crew,
Thank you for keeping us all so well informed and for making your speedy passage so alive via your website. If only the race organisers were as organised as you!
I did the race last time around and took twice as long as you have..sheesh...
Congrats.' - Steve
'I finally have been able to figure out how to track you on my computer...sensational!!!
Sydney joins me in wishing you all the best tomorrow.' - Sal
'Brilliant news that you guys continue to do so well. Really hope the daily rations are proving adequate...any shortfalls are down to Chris's frugal weight allowance.
Regarding the trivia question...I imagine that you were ALL VERY excited about lovely Sam's lone figure appearing on the AIS...1500nm being the closest you guys have been to a girl all week. Lock up your daughters in Salvador...the Leopard Boys are on final approach! Keep flying' - Bridge xx
'To all the crew of Leopard but especially Mike.
We have been watching your blog daily and wishing you all speed! Not too sure about your golden throne on the pre race video?? Was it a commode because the look on your face suggests it was?? Best wishes to Chris and all the crew and hope the porridge is doing its stuff. Freeze dried does not appeal too much to the hardened Scotts but needs must!! Tight lines, full sails and high birds and see you in Antigua!!
Lots of love' - Scottie and Fi
'Dear Mike, Sherl an crew,
Wishing you tonnes of luck on your final push into Brazil. Go Leopard 3!' - Katie x
'Dear Mike and the Crew of Leopard
The answer to the question Mike put as to who is the most excited about the proximity of Sam Davies, is I believe the well known Hamble based helmsman, and world renowned North Sails jockey, Mr Jeremy Robinson. Good Luck on the record' - Ian
'Have a great last couple of days and don’t forget to keep the wet weather gear on in Brazil!! Regards to all' - Wybs
'Thinking of you all last evening as we celebrated a friends 40th,
many of who had been on Leopard last summer for Sally's 40th and who
were delighted by your current progress. Too much champagne so a sore
head this morning to go with the blisters from all the crazy dancing!
Everyone wishes you all the best and it will soon be the crew's turn
I hope to celebrate all their current hard efforts - better forewarn
the bars in port!' - Carl
'Howzit, guys. Just back from two glorious weeks in Mauritius and
caught up with the race this am (Sunday 18th). Glad to see it’s
going well, and that the record is well within reach. Go, boys! (I saw
form one of the daily updates that Mike was asking who Chelsea were playing
this week-end. They played Stoke yesterday and won 2-1 (after being behind
up to at least the 70th minute.) Will continue to track your progress.
Regards.' - Marc
'HI Leopard crew! This is Mark’s cool aunt Rosie writing from
the snow in France, great to read your daily updates – it’s
always good to be with the winners, so just you keep going flat out and
beat them all – sorry not able to be there to give you a good send
off as in New York, but there was obviously a great crowd! Did you hear
about the plane that landed in the river in New York? No, really not a
joke! Mark, Tom just left for Vars where he is attempting to retain his
British Speed Skiing record of 202,59km so you keep your fingers crossed
for him! Onwards and upwards! Off to Skiroc tonight! Am looking forward
to some new jokes. Keep on sailing!' - Rosie
'Hello Ladies!!
It might be light and shite where you are, but it's blowing a Hoolie here
on the sixth floor of Southampton General, so you can count yourselves
lucky!
I'm just wondering who got the good bunks...
Enjoy the next three days at sea before you have to have all that compulsory
fun ashore.
Always with you in some sort of spirit or other'- Led
'Hi Guys
Been following the Vendee Globe sailors, only just found out about your
race. You are looking good so keep it up, having listened to the pre race
video now know more about this super yacht. Seen you several times in
the Solent, wow what a boat. Safe sailing and look forward to seeing you
back in the Solent.
Love to all' - Carole (cruising sailor, missing
the excitement of racing)
'Mike what are you doing following those Chelsea lot...anyway they
played Stoke at the Bridge today and thanks to two late goals, the winner
late in injury time - a 20 yard blast from Lampard - got the 3 points.
Still Chelsea are 3rd in table, 1 point behind Liverpool (game in hand
vs Everton on Monday, and 2 points behind Man Utd who went top today beating
Bolton away 0 -1. For those on the boat like me who are Gunners, we've
only just kicked off but a win would still keep us in 5th slot. Enough
of the footie get back to sailing and beating that record.' - Carl
'Chelsea came back in the last 5 mins to score 2 goals, to pip Stoke
at the post, as they had been 1 up. Chelsea 2 - Stoke City 1 Full time.
How exciting was that ?
The wind's blowing here, so I hope it is for you too. Love' - Jo
'Hi Mike
Following your progress. Looking good. Hope you make it by Tuesday.'
- Ed and Alge
'Keep it up guys, the wind is coming you re way;
love to my brother Jan .cheers' - Cap
'Hi to all the crew,
Bet you are all dreaming of your favourite food or a wonderful succulent
steak and a long hot shower. Hoping for favourable winds and a wonderful
finish for Leopard.
Best Wishes' - Kym and Ann
'Mike - watching your progress with interest.
Hope to meet up between your challenges in 2009!
Keep well and don't flog the crew too much, they may become mutinous!
Best Regards' - Mark
'Hi all!
According to the tracker, the uninitiated would think the Navigator was
on Coke, or is it the PORRIDGE?
Question? If Paddy Monson broke the satellite system did Rosco the Brit
repair it?
Lots of luck and best wishes' - IRELANDS EAST POINT
'Mike et al,
Just you lay off that hairy Scotsman on the porridge packet - he’s
my granddad! He has a grey Brazilian under his kilt! 400 nautical miles
in 24 hours is going some. GSpot would get through almost 4000 litres
of the pink stuff. Glad you’re doing your bit for the environment.
Continue to travel safe and fast.' - Bill
'Hi all on board Leopard3
Gordon Maguire is the answer to the Quiz "daftest man in Britain"
Hi Gordo keep up the good work! By the way I think for answering the quiz
correctly my prize should be a Leopard 3 polo shirt (large)
See you soon' - Murray
'Hello Mike and fellow Leopards, watching your race with interest
from Singapore. Sounds like you are having a great time Mike, the freeze
dried must agree with you…I have never tried making it with red
wine before but I am guessing that is what you are doing??
Hope you have Shirly under control and I am sure Kelvin has been regaling
you with some good old stories, make sure he erases a few so the new ones
from your latest trip can be fully passed on – I can only guess
at what will go on in Brazil!!
Good luck for the rest of it and enjoy. Hope to see you all soon and Hi
to all the guys' - Jules & Cabrini
'Hi Christopher/Mike and crew
Have been following race daily, enjoying the daily updates Mike, great
pre race video too. Good luck to the finish.' - Love Kaye
and all in Perth
'We've been keeping an eye on your progress and enjoying the daily
updates. Have even felt forced to remonstrate with the official Heineken
site about duff and very confusing information! Please don’t make
‘Paddy’ walk the plank, he seems a nice lad and we think he
is carrying a very precious cargo! Keep going, good sailing.' - Mike
and Sally
'Enjoyed the video link. Leopard is sailing a fantastic race....hope
the weather conditions and wind are favourable and take Leopard to line
honors. Look forward to the next update.' - Ann
'Hi Mike,
Enjoying the blog – but disappointed that you didn’t get your oats today! Good luck to you and the rest of the crew – keep Rambler at bay!' - All the best Tim and Andy
'Mike,
Glad to see that you are now in your rightful position on the race diagram - go to it , lad, and enjoy that chicken - much needed I'm sure.
Hope to see you in Rio in 4 days time' - Love, Jo
'Hey Dyl and the Leopard team,
We are following your progress and checking the website each day from Adelaide. Thinking of you all and imagining what it would be like. Go Leopard!!
Stay safe' - Torey and Dave
'Hi Guys,
Hope you are both well, been keeping an eye on the website - great to see the boat is pushing hard! I wont keep you but good luck with the remaining half of the race, keep it up. Most likely over in the UK in July, look forward to catching up if I am. Cheers' - Josh
'Good Luck to all crew.
A little worried checking position two days ago, now explained.
Keep going Hugh.' - Best wishes from No 40 next door!
'To Mike and all the crew,
Congratulations on leading at half way its all downhill from here.
How good are the bacon rolls going to taste at the finish?
Regards' - Jerry
'Mike
Very much enjoying the distraction from a relentlessly -ve mkt. Loved the porridge humour on the trading floor. FTSE down 4.9% today, 250 Index down 2.8%, Helical one of the leading performers for 2nd day running at 316p with good volume… Any way, not wanting to distract you too much. Very best of luck for the days ahead…' - James
'Good Luck to you all and strong winds to blow you. Glad you're enjoying the freeze-dried porridge will send you some ace oats from Alford mill as used by Nick Nairn in the Queen's 80th b/day feast. They should get you all moving! Only if you win, of course. Get on boy(s)!!' - Lots of love, Jo
'Mike/Chris
The market is dire so very much enjoying following your progress and emails online - best of luck for the line honours, race record and IRC win triple!! Hope to sail with you again sometime in 2009. All the best.' - Andrew
'Great site to track the race and enjoying the daily reports....Go Leopard go!!!!!! Aussie Best Wishes.... keep it going!!!' - Ann
'Hi Chris,
All the best from Camps Bay we are keeping track of your moves.
Monica is proudly wearing her Leopard3 cap every day and even the guys from the Camps Bay burgler alarm company were asking about you yesterday - it has been quiet since you all left. Say hello to everyone and good luck' - Klaus
'Dear all on board,
Great news that you are making such good progress, think you are all in much better place right now than most back here, even with the delights of freeze dried food! Some news from home, Chelsea beat Southend in the cup and Man Utd closed the gap at the top of the table to two points. Kaka is rumoured to be joining Man City for 100million and on a salary of 500,000 a week, so no credit crunch in Manchester by the looks of it! Bertrand and Ainslie were victorious in the Aussie Etchells and tell Jeremy that Sam is still in 4th position in the Vendee, with Brian in 6th and Dee in 8th. Finally a Government minister reported the sighting of green roots to recovery but most thinks she must have been smoking them! Have a safe & swift journey and I look forward to seeing most of you back in The Bugle for a pint soon.' - Matt
Hi Mike and crew,
'I am loving following you all, so pleased you have at last been given your position against rambler. Hopefully the South Africans will improve on logistics and statistics before the World Cup man!
Love all the piccies too - Cape Town looks as gorgeous as ever! Mike I think the shot of you with Heineken back drop could be a permanent fixture, better than Colonel Kentucky!
Good luck, we are all watching you down here in Wales.....................Best' - Graeme Matthews and family
'Looks like you guys are getting in some excellent practice for the serious stuff in St. Barths. Keep it up!' - Duncan, Matthew and all at Helical
'Just about to have our 7th down day in the financial market - the longest downward move in over 4 years - warm wind, porridge, and freeze dried Kung Po Chicken sounds like a better place to be - wish I was on board!!
Good luck and best wishes for a successful result!!' - Rupert
'Great to see the mighty leopard is going so brilliantly! Love the daily updates...you guys are on fire...keep it up.
Keeping everything crossed for you all to the finish...Caipirinhas will definately be well deserved...hopefully you can even persuede Rosco away from the cokes!
All the guys here wish u fairwinds and great sailing for the second half of the race.' - Love Bridge and the boys from Velsheda
'Mike and team,
I've just watched the video what a hoot - was that Jimmy Savile in the Golden chair being interviewed (and were you doing the interviewing?).
I bet you're all starting to feel you've been at sea for a long while now BUT you're over half way, hopefully all strong and up for the
fight with Rambler and with good winds let's hope the second leg is even speedier.
All the best.' - Carl
'Hi guys
Great progress - hope you get stuck under a really windy cloud from now through to the finish. Go faster still!' - Dale
'Slade,
Just read your race "site". You must be completely insane. Anyway can't stop going to dinner, enjoy your Po Chicken, sounds disgusting.
Good luck and keep them all behind you.' - Richard
'Hi all,
Glad to see today's position reports and that you are actually ahead and still smoking .
I was a bit nervous at yesterday's position reports and the fact your tracker had you floundering around going nowhere fast and being overtaken by the 50 footers!
Anyway keep it up. Enjoying Mike's updates and wishing I was there to help!
Regards' - Quinny
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