Position: 2000 LT 00°28’S, 094°42’W
Date:Thursday December 31, 2009

New year’s evening

We are departing 2009 under sail. After passing Isla Isabella on the north side the wind eased for a moment to come back from a westerly direction. The steady trade wind was interrupted by the volcano on the northern part of the island but when we were 20 miles of it blew steady again. As if the ship is longing for French Polynesia she sails west with speeds exceeding the 10 knots.
At home it is already 2010 and the damps from the fireworks are drifting away. The traditional new year’s evening snack “oliebollen” are out of the galley yet. This afternoon we have taken a moment in silence to think over the accident that was fatal for Petra and Jane. While flying the Dutch flag half mast our thoughts were with the family and friends of Petra, Jane en all Boissevains. I wish them all the strength they need in 2010.
With that I wish everybody who is reading this a happy new year with fair winds and following seas.
Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam