Race 6 - Day 18
Crew Diary - Race 6 Day 18
09 February

I remember meeting Jeronimo at crew allocation and he talked about it being ‘our race’, not his. Jeronimo and Ryan (AQP) are both super competitive beneath their cool, smiley exteriors. But one thing I have been thrilled about is that so far in this race I estimate they have helmed for around five percent of the time. The remainder has been helmed by the crew. Taking it in turns from complete beginners to those who have already sailed 5 races and have around 20,000 miles experience. During night-time more crew get the opportunity to helm once their daytime skills have improved. Night-time can be very tricky, especially if there are no stars to guide you.

This means ‘we’ will have made a major contribution to all the successes, and any disappointments we have. Two days ago we caught up with Qingdao in very light winds. As we approached Fiona was on the helm (completely new to helming) and she was encouraged to keep on the helm and try and make the pass. I love this about our team, I can sense both Jeronimo and Ryan on occasion just itch to take the helm but they hold back. I am very grateful that they manage their competitive spirit in such a kind and calm way to truly make this ‘our adventure’ as well as theirs.

Today started with very light winds and HOT weather again. But by late afternoon we had wind of around 13 knots. Not that much, but as we were close hauled it made Punta tip on her edge and sea water spray fly. It feels like we are going very fast but it is a bit of an illusion, still it’s fun. We will approach the Dell Rugged Latitude Ocean Sprint start tomorrow morning and we are lining up our approach. We have a plan (can’t tell you), and hope it pays off.

We are using up all the old spare food on the yacht, some of which has sailed close to a half circumnavigation itself! This is good news as less weight on the boat as we use it. A very special thank you to Julie Rennie, wife of Big Dave as we call him. Julie put in days of work at Airlee Beach helping me come up with menus for this hot leg. Julie should have been on holiday but instead made a massive contribution to our team with her ideas and talent. Thank you Julie from all of us on Punta del Este, you are part of this race, and Big Dave is enjoying his food.

Yesterday Steph made valiant and successful efforts to save a beautiful flying fish which had landed close to her on the helm during the night. Lots of other escapades went alongside this which I won’t mention, but the fish was saved and I was very happy. It’s about the only wildlife we are seeing right now. When they fly close to our yacht we see their huge fins like wings glistening in the sunlight as they emerge from the sea and fly. They are extraordinarily beautiful – so well done Steph.

It would be easy to give the impression that all is wonderful on this adventure. But it would not be an adventure if all was wonderful at all times. Tiredness has an impact and I would describe the experience for me as, exciting, awe inspiring, ok, good fun, not good fun, and times when I long for my family and friends and home. I expected this and sometimes it is very tiny things that push you to tears and very tiny things that bring great joy. So this adventure continues, we do our best in our own ways. There is time to think. To contemplate. To not think at all – just look and be at one with this universe. I often sit quietly just gazing like I did as a child. This probably is the biggest gift of this adventure..

So far.

We have 40 knots forecast tonight so more adventures will come very soon.

I think of you all at home, family, friends, those at Impact. I promise I am clipped on and look forward to chatting when we reach Subic Bay.

Over.