Race 5 - Day 2
Crew Diary - Race 5 Day 2: Sydney to Hobart
28 December

Well hello from the closing stages of the Sydney Hobart race! The crew have been looking forward to this one and it hasn't disappointed. Race start was stunning - the memories of being amongst so many boats, both fellow competitors and hundreds of spectator boats, with the beautiful backdrop of Sydney Harbour, will stay with us for a very long time.

As seasoned crossers of oceans (!) we have become used to sailing for thousands of miles at a time rather than the 700 or so of this race. In this race, for such a short sprint we have had many ups and downs and have occupied most of the positions in the Clipper fleet! As I write this we're currently sitting in 4th place and know that we have a lot to do to maintain or improve this by the end of the race. All of the fleet are closely matched on speed and position, and success will likely be determined by how we handle the predicted front followed by flukey airs to come tonight and the as yet unknown conditions as we navigate the river on the way up to Hobart.

This is likely to be my last blog before I leave Liverpool 2018 as I have one more race up to Airlie Beach after this before I return to normal life (whatever that looks like). The thought that I have less than 2 weeks of sailing left on this beautiful pink boat is a sobering one and has put me in a bit of a reflective mood.

I came into the Clipper world not really knowing what to expect but hoping it would bring experiences and friendships which would last a lifetime. With a month to go before I head home I know for certain that it has delivered in spades. Before I left, my good friend Pete, a circumnavigator on Qingdao in 2013/14, regaled me with tales of the race and the Clipper bubble - his enthusiasm for the race and his fondness for the crew he sailed with were evident and I now understand exactly why. I love the crazy bunch of misfits I've had the privilege of sailing on Liverpool with, and all those from other boats who are part of my extended Clipper family (especially the serious sailing ladies!) - they are hilarious, kind, smart and supportive and I have some ridiculous stories to remember them by!

To my family and friends at home, thank you for all the support you've given me while I've been on this little adventure - it's made the whole experience that much richer and I can't wait to see you in February. In the meantime keep thinking pink and send us favourable winds for the rest of the race xx