Legger is ocean race asset (From Stroud News and Journal)

Legger is ocean race asset

CRANHAM'S Richard Tuckwell has traded Five Valleys building sites for life on the high seas as he takes part in an epic yacht race. The SNJ recently bid him bon voyage and this week we heard he has reached the icy Southern Ocean as his team on board SAIC La Jolla head from Sydney to Cape Town.

Billed as the toughest yacht race in the world, Richard has opted for the hardest leg in what is an already-tricky jaunt he is currently somewhere in the inhospitable Southern Ocean.

The Yachts taking part in the Global Challenge are skippered by professionals but crewed by enthusiastic amateurs and will have to negotiate high winds, 40 foot waves, icebergs and everything else the oceans of Antarctica can hurl at them.

Here extracts from the crew's on-line log suggest Richard has proved himself an asset to the crew and is settling in well.

Fellow 'legger' Helen Sugden said she and Richard had been made to feel very welcome by the tight-knit team who have been together since the yacht left Portsmouth. "The week seems mainly to have been getting into our watch routine," she said.

"Both Richard and I are not yet as quick getting all the kit on especially as it is getting colder we need more of it.

"It has been fun seeing Richard and his dry suit, or should I say mine that he wore for one watch, no wonder it was tight.

Finnish skipper Eero Lehtinen said: "Our leggers Richard and Helen have fitted in very well, both being super positive and coping fine with all the new people, rules, habits and conditions.

"Unlike many newcomers to the big seas, neither one is suffering from seasickness either. "We've been very lucky to have such great additions to our team for this tough leg.