Race 9 - Day 25
Crew Diary - Race 9 Day 25: Qingdao to Seattle
17 April
Time to take my turn at writing another blog – it seems to have come round quickly in one sense, and yet my last one also seems ages ago too.
Looking back through the recent crew blogs, there have been a lot of descriptions of sailing through the recent high waves and phenomenal sea state, so I will not add more on that.
Instead, a bit of reflection from someone who was a total non sailor before undertaking this Clipper Race, and what I have learnt about some of facts given about the mysterious Clipper Race journey:
A 40,000 MILE RACE AROUND THE GLOBE?
Are you kidding? It might be except for one thing I now know for sure, sailing yachts rarely point in the right direction! We spend most of the time pointing away from where we want to go because of wind direction, wind angles and other such complications. If you look at the red track on the TimeZero system that follows our actual route it is full of zig zags and curves, and at times even little knots and bows – all very pretty, but all adding that extra distance.
A RACE AROUND THE WORLD?
Well, I would love to know the overall average speed achieved by the yachts in their circumnavigation. On the GREAT Britain yacht we are often pleased to be averaging 10 knots in reasonably favourable conditions. In lighter winds we are chuffed with 6-8 knots, when it is really sporty up to 15 knots. Let's take that average 10 knots, around 11 miles per hour. Ladies and gentlemen – if I was driving my car at 11 miles per hour I would be driving in a congested town, stuck in a queue on the motorway or about to park my car! I rest my case! 'We are racing, we are racing' is the chant required to keep us on our toes. 40,000 or more (see above) miles at about 11 miles per hour, what a crazy thing to do!
I do have to be honest here though, and say that 10 knots when heeled over with waves crashing around you can FEEL a lot faster!
SPORTY CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS ACHIEVED
Today we are blessed with a wind of around 12 knots and a gentle sea state, blowing in the right direction to allow us to fly the code 1 and achieve boat speeds of about 10 knots – goody, that would mean 240 nm in 24 hrs, now that knocks down the mileage left to go to Seattle. Equally important, the boat is steady and level, no dramatic lean and lurch - life is easy to live on the boat.
As winds get stronger/more gusty, or wind direction changes so we are heeled over on dramatic angle, or the sea state roughens our living conditions get a lot tougher. So you think, we should be rewarded by amazing boat speeds and get to destination quicker but NOOOO, this is not often the case! In the recent phenomenal sea states some impressive surfing speeds were achieved by the helmers, but overall average speeds were still around 10-12 knots, yet life was very tough down below deck. Where is the justice in that?!
YOU WILL MEET ALL SORTS OF AMAZING PEOPLE
Yes, I can vouch for this! In all seriousness, this is what makes the Clipper Race. So many different types of people, different ages, different occupations, different backgrounds and nationalities, different motives and reasons for doing this race, different personalities etc. Every single one of them brings a different set of skills and attributes to the boat, and together we are so much stronger, we are a team. We can deal with anything, cope with anything, Ray can fix anything. We can support each other, help each other grow, help each other through ups and downs, just be there for each other.
The amazing people aspect is, however, not limited to the crew. There are all the Clipper Race staff who work tirelessly to make it all happen for us, both those back in the UK, and those who turn up in assorted office space areas in different ports, always cheerful and wonderfully helpful. There are the tireless maintenance guys who help us keep these yachts going, and of course Martin, the sail repair guru (a very busy man!). There are all the local officials in the various ports who provide such welcomes and hospitality, the volunteer interpreters and helpers, and the local people who cheer and welcome us, many becoming our friends. SO many people needed to make this happen for us, the crew – enabling us to have such an amazing opportunity and such wonderful experiences. A huge thank you to you all. People, that is the truly amazing aspect of this Clipper Race, and I feel truly privileged to be part of it.
DOING THE CLIPPER RACE WILL CHANGE YOU
I have thought about this, and I don't know. Has it, and if so, how? Better, worse, just different or what?
I suspect that this is where you, are wonderful family and friends, are another key part. When we are home, settling back to our precious lives with you, you can tell us what you think! It will be fascinating!
Love to all my family and friends, and to all our GREAT supporters, Tessa x