10.11.2006
AN UNUSUAL BROADSIDE AS GOLDING PASSES SHIRAISHI
In mid-Atlantic, 590 miles off the coast of Brazil, Mike Golding and Ecover overtook Spirit of Yukoh just before midnight last night and moved into second place. Kojiro Shiraishi has occupied the number two slot for 17 days since a gale in the Bay of Biscay swept through the VELUX 5 OCEANS fleet. It might be natural for the Japanese skipper to resent being toppled from his place behind Bernard Stamm and Cheminées Poujoulat, but the reality is very different.
Below are E-mails between Mike Golding and Kojiro Shiraishi, written as the British Open 60 closed down on the Japanese boat last night. Once again, the extraordinary camaraderie, mutual respect and good humour that is trademark of solo sailors is abundantly clear:
From: Mike
To: Kojiro Shiraishi
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 8:03 PM
Subject: Kon Nichiwa
Kon nichiwa Kojiro. (Hello Kojiro)
Aete yokatta: ! (Nice to see you!)
Choosi doo desu? (How are you?)
Konban hachi-ji yoyaku shitai no desu ga (I'd like to reserve a table for 8 o'clock tonight)
Fuku o kita mama yoku-joo ni hairanai koto (You can not wear clothes into the bath area)
OK, so it doesn't all make sense, but it's all I have. First to Fremantle buys the dinner OK?
Mike
From Kojiro to Mike:
Mike san,
I was also looking out for you, but sorry, I was not able to see you pass. I had prepared sashimi from some flying fish and even have a spare set of chopsticks ready. The plates were washed in Ecover washing-up liquid and are spotless! So I guess we will go with your suggestion and the first one to Fremantle pays for dinner, its agreed! I would also just like to say what an honour it is to sail alongside you, Mike, and such a terrific boat as Ecover. I hope to learn a lot in this race from sailing with you and these other great skippers. I will be sailing hard to stick with you guys.
I wish you and Ecover a safe sail. The best of luck
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