Race 2 - Day 4
Crew Diary - Race 2, ​Day 4
19 September

Joseph Govier
Joseph Govier
Team Unicef
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Three to four days, they say, to get used to the watch system and settle into a routine on the passage. Well I was awoken today at 6 o’clock and didn't have a clue if it was morning or night, this was of course my second wake up call of the day, the last one was last night at the same time as normal people are going to bed. It was 6am and Porridge was awaiting, the brain slowly made sense and it was morning and another day nearer to Uruguay, on the 30ish day passage. Only a few days ago we were enjoying the beer, food, showers and flushing toilets of our crew house. I indulged in an Uber, electric scooters and a morning at the water park, inbetween hosting VIP’s sailing day, boat repairs and cleaning. We have got to experience all sides of our crew mates (cheers Lins) as we relax in each others company. Calling home to catch up on family and work, a life that for me was put on hold, however you soon realise that life is going forward without you - these realities are dealt with differently by everyone. Head in the sand or nothing I can do, or, (like me) how can I help, and then feeling sad that the reality is all I have little to offer just a few words of encouragement and the opportunity to show how much I believe in the people close to me.

Not wanting to put a downer on proceedings, I'm sailing in a racing yacht en route past Lanzarote, a place where I had my honeymoon, family holidays and completed my day Skipper sailing. Unfortunately, we won’t be stopping, its likely to be the middle of the night and we have five other boats to catch up. We are flying along at 15 knots with our spinnaker flying, its certainly eat sleep sail repeat and its amazing and challenging. Today I’ve seen turtles and dolphins swimming in the bow wave in the dark, surrounded by a phosphorus glow like a Disney animation. I’m so grateful for my friends, colleagues and family for supporting me on the adventure, love to Lizzie, Elliot and Eve and my special Nan xxx