Editors Post.
It is early in the morning, every two days like clockwork, that the email from Bridget comes in, but not today. It must be late due to the ever changing time difference I thought. I drifted back off to sleep to be awoken by the house phone ringing.
“It’s Clipper Ventures here” and my heart stopped.
My mind raced, is it this simple, just a call to let you know the fate of your loved one.
Don’t worry she said, Bridget is ok. The boat has been hit by a wave and knocked onto it’s side. Broached is the term sailors use but it seems vastly inadequate for what can lead to a capsize.
Bridget was on deck when the wave hit, somewhere near the helm. She has a cut head and a black eye. Wendo was thrown out of her bunk and also sustained a cut head. Everyone must have been shook up and knocked about but are all ok.
They have decided to retire from the race and motor the rest of the way.
Paul
Update: They are retiring from this leg only.
Click below for Wendo’s blog:-
https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/skipper-report/da-nang/race9-day23-team24
Further Update: from the DaNang VietNam Facebook page:-
Things are all ok on good ship Flo and Bridget is in good form making jokes and being cheeky.
https://www.facebook.com/teamwendo/
The Fat Bird & The Boat 
Very sorry to hear this news…but also that Team Awesome are all safe, though Battered…..Lets hope the remaining journey to Seattle is uneventful….
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How sad for all. As long as everyone is OK . Best Wishes I will miss your banter.
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Devastating news after so much effort, however, better safe than sorry…….You will have sufficient memories to last a few lifetimes!! Very well done to all.
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Thoughts are with you…anything I/we can do to support you just call me…James x
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Hang in there (literally) DaNangers! Pleased you are all in one piece; a broach is never pretty. Safe travels for the remainder of your journey, thinking of you constantly and sending big hugs. x
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Not good news to read of injuries onboard Da Nang but happier news that everyone is ok and the decision to retire and motor to Seattle would have taken a lot of courage. Wishing you all a safe journey to your destination and quick recovery of all bruises and injuries. Keep them safe Flo.
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Just been reading the update on the Clipper website and feel very sorry for the crew but pleased that everyone is safe after such an incident.
Paul – hope you are ok. It must have been a shock for you too. Bridget is a tough lady though. Hope she gets some much needed rest and won’t be too long before she blogs again. I’m sure all of her GLOBAL audience on this website are sending her good thoughts and wishing her a speedy recovery.
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Bridget we are very sorry to hear this news.
This all sounds very traumatic.Good decision to retire and motor for the remainder of this leg.
We hope you and the bruised and battered crew will get to Seattle quickly and safely.
Love Joy and Brian xx
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Heck Paul. Glad she and the rest of the crew are “OK”. Hope you are too? Some gind of relief that they’re now motoring in.
Send love to all. BC
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Dear Paul, Our thoughts are with you. Bridget is so brave and so talented. I am sad that their race has been abandoned but so that. they are all safe. Love to you and all the Danang ers, Nanna Margaret xxx
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Oh dear, as long as they are alright, that is all that matters, safe journey to Seattle
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Sorry to hear the news, glad Bridget and the rest of the crew are OK albeit very badly battered and bruised. Hope you get to Seattle quickly for a well earned rest. Xx
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Bridget you tough cookie, what a scary experience. Glad to hear you are all ok. Thinking of you and as always admiring your bravery!
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Bridget, you’ve done so well so far. A broach is not fun at all. The main thing is that all crew are OK albeit a little battered and bruise. Hopefully now you can make full speed for Seattle and some R&R before the next leg. Susan x
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Thank you for this update Paul, it must have been a terrifying call.
So sorry but glad they will all be okay and are heading in the right direction.
Love to Bridget from all of her Travel Industry friends. xxx
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So much for so long and still there was worse to come. Jane and I are full of admiration of the courage that Bridget, and her shipmates, have shown over the past months. To have that last enormous prize of finishing snatched away from them must be gut wrenching. Just the same she has been a hero and has done something the other 99% of the world, including, me doesn’t have the guts to even try. Well done Bridget you are a truly courageous lady.
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Dear Paul You don’t know me but our son Ed was due to race with Bridget but fractured his back. You may have seen him in Hobart. What a terrible fright for you but thank god they are all safe. I have so much admiration for Bridget who I know became a good friend to Ed. our thoughts are with all the crew and of course with you who can only sit and wait. Best wishes Fee Sharples
Sent from my iPhone
>
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As a silent observer from Germany and a friend of Chewy I am relieved that Bridget and Wendo and the crew are safe. An excellent decision to stay on the safe side despite all the effort which all have put into the race. A tough decision but you have not given up – you are still in the race! You all have a huge responsibility for each other and you have proved that you are aware of this. My full respect! Carry on DaNangers being under motor or sail! And enjoy Seattle!
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Really pleased that Bridget and the rest of the crew are safe. Sad that they have retired as it has been enjoyable reading the blogs. However the main thing is that all are safe and hopefully on dry land quite soon.
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Hi Paul,
Sorry to hear the news, glad that Bridget & the crew are all ok. Sydney to Hobart result was a fantastic achievement. I will miss the updates.
best wishes
Alan
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Love to you all. Please remain safe on the rest of the day way into Seattle x
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Hope Bridget and all the crew make a speedy recovery. I have so enjoyed Bridget’s blogs – they give such a very good description of their experiences and I look forward to the next instalment.
Love to all onboard x
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What shocking news to hear but lets hope you all arrive in Seattle safely and can rest and recoup before the next leg . Bridget our love and support goes out to you and your crew , so incredibly brave .x
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Now I am understanding the idiom or proverb ‘worse things happen at sea’. However bad a day may seem here, it certainly doesn’t come anywhere close to your version of a bad day. Puts everything into perspective I guess. Most importantly though, you’re all ok. Black eyes and cuts will fix easily enough so just focus on building your psychological strength – you’re still going to need this for the rest of your journey. But hey, you’re nearly home! X
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Arrive safe in Seattle one and all. Bridget get plenty of rest before your next leg. Thoughts are with you and the crew each and every day. x
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Very saddened to hear the news but glad Bridget & the crew of Denang are safe.What a long way you all have come. Your blogs have had me fascinated and open mouthed. Well done, Sue x
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So glad everyone is safe and sound Bridget, my heart was in my mouth reading the news so god only knows how you are all feeling. Stay strong, Seattle and Paul are just round the corner waiting for you 😊
You will soon be back in sunny Claydon before you know it…. and we can’t wait to see you.
Linda xx
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Phew…………………..!!!
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HI Bridget
Hope your ok ? very proud of my mate in a boat your doing brill speak soon big hug x
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Relief to know both Bridget & Wendo are well, on the mend & recovering to what just sounds like a nightmare ordeal for most of us. To get that call at night must been heart stopping Paul. Pleased to know they are still in such good spirits.
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