Race 2 - Day 14
Crew Diary - Race 2 Day 14: Punta del Este to Cape Town
18 October
This is agony.
We are about 36 hours away from Cape Town and it is excruciatingly close amongst the front runners in the fleet for the podium position. And just to tip us over the edge, our closest rival has gone into stealth mode. For those of you watching us on the race viewer I'm pretty sure you'll be addicted to it right now and probably experiencing a similar agony....or maybe worse because you can't do anything about it!
The pressure is on us... any mistake, any mishap in an evolution, any sail issue, any degree off course, any more blooming kelp (!) and it will cost us. And we are feeling it. This leg has been defining for us as a team. After the win in Punta Del Este, we knew we would have the eyes of the fleet on us and we have wanted to demonstrate the team that we have become. One that is united, strong willed, encouraging and full of people who will give everything of themselves to our cause.
Leg 2 has presented its own highs and lows. For me personally, I've now sailed in conditions that at the time felt quite harrowing. Having the helm ripped out your arms, being thrown across the deck by waves, bashing yourself on the deck as you get knocked over, being the coldest and the wettest I've ever been... have all been life experiences! But within this mayhem, you find things that pick you up and spur you on.
The funniest instruction (although not funny at the time) was when our skipper (version 3) came on deck and barked “If you don't start steering course 104 degrees we're going to hit a ******* island”. Needless to say it focussed the mind. His other tactic has been to fine people in chocolate and beer for every degree off course whilst helming...unfortunately Richard is now clean out of chocolate and can look forward to a large bar bill in Cape Town. But in true Greenings style, we've had fits and giggles all the way through the leg and we've fully embraced our new chief. We've fondly renamed him Andy 'Wouldn't Reef' as a term of affection.
Not long now. Rest assured we are giving it everything. Huge thank you to everyone who is following us, and sending in messages of love and support. We really do appreciate it.
I'm off to try and get some kip to make sure I'm match fit to hit the 'performance zone'! But I'm not sure I'll sleep. I have my heart in my mouth and a twist in my stomach....a bit like watching Arsenal play.
Cape Town....bring it on.
Smiling. As always.
Jenny xxx