Race 9 - Day 29
Crew Diary - Race 9 Day 29: Qingdao to Seattle
21 April
When I write this we just crossed the finishing line a few hours ago. To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel, the last month was an absolute roller coaster. On one hand I am pleased to be across that line, on the other hand we are all bitterly disappointed by the outcome of this race. I know, wind holes, NS technical issues are part of sailing and make it interesting, but the happenings during the days before the finish were just too much of a mental challenge.
Let me recap: A few days ago we were chasing the three leading boats, with a comfortable distance to the boats behind us. Over a few days we were again and again the fastest boat in the 6-hourly position reports. Material damage, marginal. We were highly motivated, believing in another podium result. Then it started with us ripping our Code 3, followed by Code 1. Both sails quit service under rather normal circumstances, most likely stress points from prior repairs made them a bit weaker. With Code 2 we still had a sail which is a good intermediate and we were working hard on Code 3 repair. There was even a point, where all spinnakers were down due to damages, luckily Code 2 could be hoisted only after an hour repair break. So far so good, just another day at the office.
But then the real issue with our main sail track started, which you know could not be fixed. Since that damage occurred, we were losing mile after mile, sailing in light and almost no wind, with a 3rd reef in. It's part of the game and we can be happy this only happened a few days before the finish. But once we hit the wind hole just before the finish line, seeing how the first 7 boats were compressed within only ten miles, we realised that this main sail track destroyed all chances to compete with the other 6 boats for a great result in a super thrilling finish. So we were damned to be spectators as the other boats sailed their battle. Knowing our initial position in that final battle would have been much better.
Anyhow, this is sport, would have, should have... but still, we are disappointed. And late.
Last night, sitting in 2 knots of wind, I said this blog will be my therapy, and it would initially have 3000 words, before cutting all the f-words out which will bring it down to 300 words. Still not sure how my feelings are, but at least the wind hole frustration is gone and I did not need any therapy or f-word cutting today, I am rather on the happy, or better relieved side. Looking very much forward to an interesting stopover, and most important to me, seeing my parents.