Race 2 - Day 2
Crew Diary - Race 2, Day 2
17 September
Happy Birthday Maman!
This one’s for you, Mom.
And for all of you, Moms of sailors and sailor Moms out there.
Today is a special day Maman, it’s your birthday. Every year, on that day, I am away - on the move. I know you always wish I was there with you, but I’m not, and you never complain about it. But this year I’m really far away and now, I’m the one wishing I was there by your side!
Right now we’re sailing South, trying to catch light winds along the coast of Morocco – a place you know well! It seems we’re first in the fleet, back where we belong, according to the latest schedule (except for Zuhai which adopted a pretty ballsy straight line tactic here!). We’ve sailed 140nm already. It’s not bad, ‘just’ another 5,100nm to go!
Today you’re 60 years old. What a beautiful age! A lot of my crew are about that age. Just like you, they’re completely fearless. Angie eats life as if it was a chocolate fondant. Lins is dancing while cooking, Geoff is a magician - he can fix anything on this boat, Mario is sailing in his fourth language (English, while speaking a perfectly fluent French, Spanish and Portuguese!), Keith is trimming the spinnaker for hours (we call him King Keith) and I just saw Mikey rock climb into his high bunk like a monkey! Just like you, they’re super badass and have tons of tales to tell. I particularly love listening to the stories of their children. John Dawson is not saying much because his son is on Qingdao, but John Dillon’s kids’ antics made me feel good about my ‘quiet’ teenage phase ;)
Today I realise you’ve spent more than half of your life taking care of me, bringing me up and bringing the best out of me. You told me I could do anything, that everything was possible and that I should be more afraid of not trying than failing. And here I am, casually crossing an ocean, as if it were the most normal thing to do.
But know that I know, that we all know how hard it’s been for you and for all of you, Moms, to teach us to leave to then actually let us go. We know hard it feels when we’re far away. We know how much you are proud of us but how equally scared. Please also know that if we’re doing this, it’s thanks to you! If we’re brave, courageous, fierce, independent and strong, it’s thanks to you - our dear Moms.
So this one’s for you, Mothers, Moms, Mamans, Mamas. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us and for everything you’re still doing for us. You have the hardest job in the world and we’re making it even more difficult for you – this sailing thing, like it or not, is a bit yours too!With love to Dominique, Ysabel, Bridget, Doris, D’Maris, Clarita, Edith, Carol, Mollie, Doreen, Rita, Brenda, Nancy, Diane, Julie, Liz, Carolyn, Tina, Colleen, Christine (in order of who I could find around on the boat!)