Race 4 - Day 7
Crew Diary - Race 4 Day 7: Fremantle to Sydney
09 December

Luke Baker
Luke Baker
Team Dare To Lead
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How strange to be contemplating Christmas without the usual seasonal mood setters of a chocolate calendar, putting up a tree, and other general festive merriment. The best we can do on Dare To Lead is to play a few Christmas classics in the galley – you can't escape Noddy Holder, even at 44 degrees South.

For those from the Northern Hemisphere onboard, one might think the cold wet surroundings of the Southern Ocean would help to conjure up that December feeling, but such is the alien landscape of the ocean that you could really be anywhere in the world, at any time of year. Without the GPS gadgetry it'd be hard to tell the difference until you reach port, but what good fortune of ours that we are following the stars to a sunny Sydney at Christmas time.

The short, sharp races of leg 4 makes the journey seem a lot more manageable, and the mood on board is good, with a healthy dose of new bodies adding energy and conversation. With less than 400 nautical miles until we turn the corner at Hobart and run up the coast to Sydney, no doubt all looking forward to the extended stop over, and the chance to catch up with family and friends.

From my own perspective it will be the first time I've celebrated Christmas away from home, but the barbecues and the beach will amply compensate for missing out on turkey and an open fire. My Christmas present came early this year in the form of a (nearly) vomit free race start, so either I've been well behaved in 2017, or karma has something else special in mind.

Beyond the break, thoughts also turning to the start of the Sydney-Hobart on Boxing Day, which promises to be an awesome spectacle, and a highlight of the race for all involved.

Love to all back at home, and look forward to catching up over Christmas.

Luke