Race 10 - Day 5
Crew Diary - Race 10 Day 5
04 April

Back Again!

Well, here I am again, heading through southern Japanese Islands out into the vast North Pacific, heading for Seattle.

Last time I did this (on the 17/18 Race) we were leading, fell into a wind hole and finally finished seventh!

This time we are leading… :)

So how does it compare? Last Time I was a “legger”, no experience, just hopefully, bringing some energy, muscle and good humour to the crew, who were starting to show the 30-odd thousand miles they’d clocked up just to get to Qingdao. Now it’s my turn as a “round the worlder”, I have those 30,000 miles under my belt and yes, I do feel tired, but I also know that I, and my fellow round-the-worlder's, have experience and are in the groove. We are really starting to act as a team, knowing each other – when someone needs a hug or some space. Sailing is now coming naturally and living on the heel, though tough, we’ve done it for seven months now and still standing, so why not four more??

Crossing the mighty Pacific is no stroll. No complacency here, I assure you, but no fear either. Done it before. I respect it and trust myself and the Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam team that we will get through. We often remind each other “This isn’t supposed to be easy!”

We are even starting to talk about life after the Clipper Race, which will be a rapid change, back to our own individual lives and away from this Clipper life.

So… Sorry “stand-by to gybe” – that’s a call for me on deck. Got to go.

Bye for now. xx