Race 11 - Day 8
Crew Diary - Race 11 Day 8: Panama to New York
11 June
New York, New York
Today, it is nine days ago that we set sail in Panama for the race north. It seems ages ago that we left Seattle. While our ship slides comfortably over the ocean like an elegant swan in downwind conditions, it turns into a hot-headed dragon when racing upwind. The Caribbean trade winds turned our lives onto an 45% angle from the very start. Life on deck was exciting but climbing down the companionway below deck felt like descending into the underworld where moving even a few meters was a serious climbing exercise; to get into the upper bunk, I had to walk up the wall before pulling myself up through a narrow opening. I will always remember June 5th when it was my turn to cook while it was a challenge to even stand. Ingredients where being launched into the air periodically as the boat was smashing into the waves. I did not know whether to cry or laugh.
Meanwhile, she has transformed into a swan again an I'm able to sit behind this computer. My Clipper Race adventure is gradually coming to an end. Two years ago I wanted to learn how to sail and when a friend told me about the Clipper Around the World Race I applied and knew immediately that I wanted to sail Leg 7 around North America. It has been an amazing experience and it was tough as the lack of privacy and control over time, sleep, and food, put my life upside down. Highlights were the sailing under the stars, the abundant wildlife in the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal, the long conversations on deck, and of course listening to music; especially the reggae music of Beres Hammond during the sunny days, traditional music of Fiji (the skipper's favourite), the relaxing sounds of Nils Landgren at night, and my sister Harriet's amazing recordings of the cello sonatas by Brahms and Rachmaninov.
The performance of the investment company I run together with my brother was a record percentage in May. He suggested that I should go sailing more often. Well if for some people such a long journey at sea would be a welcome digital detox, it had the opposite effect on me; I can't wait to read my Financial Times again. I'm looking forward to a cold beer, a Shake Shack burger, a run through Central Park, and more than everything else another beautiful summer in the Austrian Alps. This sailing journey will forever remain a great memory.
Thanks to Conall and the incredible team. Finally, cheers to my grandfather Dieles who is the sailor in our family and who got twinkles in his eyes when I told him about my plans to sail from Seattle to New York. We'll have a whisky soon.
Are...we there yet?
Georg