Race 10 - Day 21
Crew Diary - Race 10 Day 21
18 April

Greetings, landlubbers and internet mariners! It’s your favourite Canadian doctor and crew member of Bekezela, back again for another seafaring adventure. Having conquered the Australian waters in Leg 4, I’ve re-joined the team for Leg 6, embarking from Zhuhai, China. Our compass currently points east towards North America, surfing downwind on 3-4 meters waves along the 44th parallel. We have less than 2,000 nautical miles left to this long race, and we are hoping to make it to Seattle in about 11-12 days if Mother Nature provides us with fair winds. The weather forecast looks promising, at last.

Living on the coastline of the Pacific Northwest in Canada, I’ve always harboured dreams of crossing the ocean that laps at my doorstep. Sailing across the grandeur of the Pacific Ocean is proving to be a challenge. Despite currently trailing the fleet of eleven, the spirit of Bekezela crew is unwavering, pondering over the elusive formula for speed. It’s a tale of mixed emotions – disappointment and demoralization are countered by undying hope and camaraderie that bind us. The leadership of David and Maisie, our Skipper and AQP, still full of energy despite months at sea, keeps fostering hope, unity and morale. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

As we reached the Pacific Ocean and sailed north along the coast of Japan earlier in April, the promise of colder climates was met with a chill embrace. It has been a stark contrast to the warmth of Airlie Beach. Everything is damp on Bekezela, with cold drops of condensation dripping along the walls, and also on my face, as I try to fall asleep in my bunk. We just learn to live with wet clothes.

Initially navigating the bustling lanes of the Yellow Sea in March where we met a mélange of fishing vessels, nets, cargo ships and debris – a navigator’s gauntlet – now we are sailing with no one in sight, except a variety of beautiful bird species. I keep wondering how those birds are thriving in such harsh conditions. Other boats in the Clipper Race fleet are hundreds of miles away in different directions, and the occasional cargo ship pops up on our AIS. Otherwise, we are alone in this vast and cold ocean.

This leg introduces us to a tri-watch system, a new rhythm to our sea life, testing our adaptability and teamwork. Meal preparation is shared amongst different watches, and I can reassure you that we still have plenty of food on board. Even after three weeks at sea, Kai and Mel managed to prepare a yummy modified ‘cottage pie’ last night, with fresh pumpkins, peas, corn, garlic and mashed potatoes with butter and grated cheddar. I don’t understand how our amazing Regina (our food guru) is managing to keep food cupboards and food bunks full after three weeks at sea. Our snack bar is filled up every few days by our ‘Snack Officer’ - Sir Mike - with an array of chocolate bars, cookies, chips, and Haribo gummy bears.

As we are pushed through these oceanic waves, I reflect on what it means to be last, position 11. Being last is not a defeat, but a challenge to rise higher. Sailing is a teamwork effort, and this journey is not just about the positions we hold but about the horizon we aim for. We focus on the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming our trials and difficulties, and we have faced many on this race. Over the last two weeks we have had to deal with a tear of our mainsail, unfavourable upwind sailing conditions, persistently defective wind instruments, very cold and very wet weather conditions, and injured crew requiring sedentary duties. In the vast classroom of the ocean, every setback is a lesson, every effort a mile closer to the Finish Line. We sail forward together, not just to compete, but to grow, to learn and, more importantly, to try to find joy and meaning in the journey.

This leg from Qingdao to Seattle across the Pacific is a voyage that is more than a race. It is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the unending quest for growth. Stay tuned for more tales from Bekezela, as we continue to navigate the vast and unforgiving seas and oceans of the world.