Race 10 - Day 11
Crew Diary - Race 10 Day 11: ​The Upwind Roller-coaster
30 March

We have been on an upwind sailing course since the beginning of the race. In case you don't know what upwind means, it's the course of sail in which the boat goes as close to the wind as it can. This is one of the hardest sailing conditions, because the boat is smashing into every single wave and the healing angle can get pretty high, which makes life below deck a nightmare.

Every single wave that hits the boat, also hits the crew. Everyone is getting tired, colder and wet, but we all know that we have to keep going until the end of this six thousand miles journey. As the nights get colder it's very important to wear the appropriate layers and to keep your body moving as much as you can. Taking care of yourself and each other is crucial to keep everyone in good shape.

Yesterday I was helming the boat for four hours straight. It felt so unreal. A guy my age, with very little sailing experience, and who had never crossed an ocean before was in charge of a 70feet long sailing yacht, on a day with 40 knots of wind and four metre high waves. When I am standing at the helm, looking at those waves and trying to keep the boat in a straight line, I feel so alive. I enjoy every single minute of it. I love it.

Let's hope that this upwind roller-coaster ends as soon as possible, and that we can bare away and point the boat straight to Seattle. The boat is looking great and it will take us there as safely and as fast as possible. Vamos Punta!

Jeronimo Lestido