Race 5 - Day 16
Crew Diary - Race 5 - Day 16
08 January

Seattle Blog

Written by John Hoskyn

Currently, the Seattle team are making steady progress up the east coast of Australia in light headwinds. As we near Brisbane, we are being aided by a northerly going current. Over the last few days we have gained on all the leading boats and have moved up one position to fifth place. With our arrival in Airlie Beach only days away, we are discussing the jobs that need to be done and planning a team BBQ.

The BBQ was Skipper Dave’s idea. There is a significant crew change over at Airlie Beach, with new joiners and leggers who are leaving, myself included, having completed the first four legs. My race started in London on September 2nd and as we enter the final few days of this leg I have been reflecting on the journey. Like any adventure there have been highs and lows, but fortunately for me I have enjoyed the majority of the race. I do now appreciate the mental and physical stamina needed to complete a circumnavigation. Each leg has been unique with different challenges. In Race 1 it was seasickness for the first few days after leaving London. The long 28 days at sea in Race 2 and the stormy weather in Race 3. But each leg has gotten easier with experience and difficult times quickly forgotten and replaced by memories of surfing at 20 knots or sailing at night with an amazing star filled sky. So when I finish Leg 4 in a few days, I will have lots of good memories, photos and videos and stories to share with family and friends.