Race 7 - Day 8
Crew Diary - Leg 5, Race 7
02 March
This will be my last blog, as the race around Taiwan and the southerly islands of Japan is drawing to a close. If I could try to sum up my time doing Leg 5 in one word, it would be EXTREME. This is an extreme sport in every sense of the word. The bonds you form with team mates are extreme. The physical strain is very real and extreme. The mental strength it takes to continue is extreme. Despite this, I would not change a second of my experience. I always felt safe and I have learned so much about sailing; myself and people.
The last few days have been a bit spicy - no one is sleeping - everyone stands around in the Ghetto - you know what you need to do but need a minute to gather your thoughts - it takes focus. Imagine not being able to stand up straight when getting dressed! Everything is upside down - the boat is crashing from side to side - you're constantly bracing your body for impact. And so the Ghetto temporarily becomes a hub of people just standing about contemplating life - asking why they are stood on a boat in their knickers in the middle of an ocean at 2am, with no privacy, about to get bossed about by mother nature.
BUT...just when you're feeling defeated, this is when the magic happens! At this moment, Jules was walking by me and blew a huge raspberry on my bare belly. I laugh. She laughs. Her energy instantly transferred to me and all was fine again. So fine, that I started picking the bites on the back of Harpo's neck. He then cracks a few jokes. This wakes Jade up. We all laugh. And so on and so forth...
The friendship side of this experience has been fab - and I even did some sailing too! Although as I type this, our competitive streak is lulling as we mourn the death of our Code 3 spinnaker (for this race). The leach line came out so we had to watch ourselves slip down the rankings as our competition flew past flying their Code 3's with pride. But this is sailing - nothing ever goes to plan - it would be boring if it did! I was lucky enough to stand on a podium with our last race so I am more than thrilled.
One memory I won't forget is when a shark came to say hello the other day right next to the boat. The fin was huge so it was one of the big boys. It made me think of the animals I may see in the water when I do my Advanced Open Water Diving certificate next week. I fly to an island called Boracay straight after Prizegiving to do this...I need to make the most of this beautiful country whilst I am here. Unfortunately, my crew aren't being too helpful when I ask about the possibilities of seeing sharks - Ivan tells me that as soon as I get in the water I am no longer top of the food chain. Manuel reminds me of his instructor telling him never to worry about sharks because they're always behind you. Thanks lads - moral support points - NIL.
On a personal note, the ocean always makes me feel revived - like someone has hit a reset button inside me. The foggyness of routine when you are in the thick of your everyday life has a habit of making you forget how to live life to the full and squeeze every drop of adventure out of it. I am glad this experience has only heightened my need to do more things like this.
Things I will miss: the sunrises and sunsets; my team; the Phosphersense at night all around the boat looking like a aquatic firework display; the bow (the pointy end of the boat).......I had some of my best adrenaline-fuelled moments here; helming (driving the boat) and knowing that every tiny movement matters.
Things I will not miss: being thrashed around in my bed like a bucking bronco (you soon learn that miraculously, you can survive on about 2 or 3 hours sleep a day); tinned carrots; my swollen hands looking like I died a week ago and have just been pulled out of a dirty canal.
Well I'll wrap this blog up here and tie a big red Clipper Race ribbon round it. To all you future Cliperoos, one word of advice would be to sign up for more than one leg (and no Clipper Race are not paying me to say this). So much so there's a wee chance I may have asked to be put on the waiting list for another leg....goodness gracious!
Big love to my closest ones - Charlotte xxx
P.S. We had a hold your breath competition - can anyone beat Hugo's 1 minute and 30 seconds?
P.P.S. Special mention to Didi, for always making such an effort with my Vegan food.