Crew of the Spirit of Bermuda had to endure more poor weather as they battled the elements on the ship's maiden voyage to the Island.

Chairman of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, Allan Burland said winds were blowing up to 25 knots as a low front passed to the north of the ship.

"A few members of the crew did get sea-sick again, but we expect the winds to decrease fairly quickly and the crew should enjoy lighter and more moderate winds on the final leg of the Spirit's journey to Bermuda," said Mr Burland.

When the Spirit of Bermuda arrives she will be used to help further the all-round education of many of the Island's young people.

Clinton Smith is sailing as the ship's education officer and said many people would greatly benefit from the programmes being offered through the Spirit of Bermuda .

Mr. Smith, who is responsible for physical education and health in the public school system explained: "This programme goes way beyond the wildest dreams of many of the students. In terms of experiential education this project is one of the best in the world."

Unlike the Outward Bound programme, which "tries to make kids hardened, to learn about their fears", Mr. Smith said the Spirit programme, "gives kids the opportunity to learn about themselves, their peers, cooperation and our marine environment that we depend on so heavily".

"This kind of programme is desperately needed to help our kids in Bermuda to focus on cooperation not competition," he added.

Mr. Smith is responsible for the Waterwise Programme, which is the feeder programme to the Spirit of Bermuda.

The Spirit of Bermuda left the US at the weekend and is on schedule to arrive in Bermuda on Saturday where she will be greeted with a series of events.