Race 13 - Day 4
Crew Diary - This challenge is just getting started
22 June

We have a large, robust crew aboard Unicef (CV31) for Leg 8, and on Day 4 it has been as challenging and rewarding as I could have hoped for. We had several new people join along with me for this leg, making a total of 19 on board this race. The best feeling about the race thus far is the level of teamwork in the crew. It has been three years since my four levels of training for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, and I knew I would have to shake the rust off by joining the postponed race. Our Skipper Ian, AQP Dan, and Watch Leaders Danny and Jonno have been understanding, patient, and constructive to incorporate the new blood into the race, and the entire crew helps provide advice on executions of the evolutions, and even the best method to enter your top bunk heeled over at 45 degrees.

I joined this race in part for a connection to sailing that I believe needed to be rekindled in a challenging way, and yes, after 4 days, I have experienced that challenge. The great thing is that leadership and crew has handled adversity in stride and with great perspective. The underlying theme is that we will maximise our race and experience, and look out for each other no matter what the racing environment has in store for us. To be honest, it’s good to watch folks' reactions when things don’t go as planned, and this crew is top notch and supports each other.

Sailing is not the only thing you learn on the race, as today I am experiencing ‘Mother Duty’, which is the time when a rotating two crew members are responsible for feeding the crew of 19 three meals. I came off of my 4-7am watch to start Mother Duty today at 5:30 am with another crew member, which will last into the night. I have baked mini cakes from scratch, prepared food, and endlessly cleaned after shift changes today for 19 hungry, exhausted sailors. While being on deck is optimal, I have enjoyed the time in the galley with Sue from England today, and I may have a thing or two up my sleeve for a future Mother Duty across the Atlantic, and for my wife Cindy, at home.

Anyway, I guess my break time is over and back into the galley, as the chicken curry is not going to finish itself.

Hopefully, our tactics employed after our challenging start will help us catch the fleet, and if not, we’ll sail this boat the best we can and be ready for our Atlantic crossing to Northern Ireland and then England.

Yeehaw!

Tom