Jimmy Cornell flew back from his yacht in Greenland to meet the European Odyssey fleet on the eve of their departure on the second leg to Cherbourg.
A “mutiny” by the German boats in the European Odyssey was avoided, after the organisers made arrangements for the yachts to stop at Eastbourne Marina on Sunday evening, in order to watch their football team play in the final of the World Cup. It is hoped that the predicted south westerly winds will swing around to the north west after their brief stop in Eastbourne and give them a nice reach across the English Channel to Cherbourg.
Jimmy, his daughter Doina and grand daughter Nera came down to Limehouse Marina to bid the boats farewell and later in the afternoon the 3 generations of Cornells flew back to Greenland to prepare for their attempt of the North West Passage.
The European Odyssey boats are heading for much warmer climates than the Arctic and London provided glorious hot sunny weather for a spectacular start from the Tower Bridge. The bridge was lifted twice for the fleet as they first sailed up the river to the Pool of London and then for a second time as they passed through the bridge on a following tide and down to the mouth of the Thames.
Thousands of spectators who had come out to enjoy the sunny day were treated to a wonderful spectacle of the European Odyssey yachts.
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