Crew Blog

Was it worth the WAit?

30 May 2008

The last time I’d sailed with my fellow westernaustralia2011.com crew buddies was way back July 07, from Hull down to Gosport after our second place in the Wilberforce Race, and to be honest we were all a little green (literally). How this crew have changed! Still warm smiles and friendly welcomes, but now hardened sailors to a man and women, confident around the deck and a second sense of what is going to happen next. “Cripes” or words to that effect usually precede some anxious moments. It doesn’t matter how many times you read the training manual deep down you know it ain’t going to be like the real thing, and I was beginning to feel a little green again and a bit apprehensive of what lay ahead.

I need not have worried after the frenzy of the start in Jamaica our crew buddies began to show us the ropes. Bruce first, in the lazarette to do steering checks. Not very comfy but essential, followed by a stroll around the deck inspecting winches and fittings, straight forward, it starting to come back to me. Jack then asks if I fancy doing a rig check, wry smile across his face, “Errrr… yeah ok”. Ten minutes later I’m at the top of the mast looking for defects, clinging on for dear life, but we’re beginning to find our feet.

Then as we leave Cuba behind and enter the Atlantic the racing really begins, the waves grow and the wind builds headsail changes, mainsail reefs guided by our trusty crew, same warm smiles, friendly banter, and caring camaraderie, the newbies still have a lot to learn and are looking forward to the coming weeks, but was it worth the wait. One minute from bunk to ocean racing with a great bunch crew mates, you betcha it was…

Liverpool Pete (Thompson)