Race 3 - Day 22
Crew Diary - Race 3 Day 22: Cape Town to Fremantle
22 November

Edward Gildea
Edward Gildea
Team Unicef
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Our minds are still numbed and deeply saddened by the tragedy on GREAT Britain, and moved by all the loving and admiring messages of support and condolence that have been shared around the fleet.

The death of Simon Speirs puts the race and all our day-to-day dramas into perspective, so perhaps the best offering I can make is to share with you a poem I wrote during the 13-14 Clipper Race, in which I tried to capture the challenge, exhilaration and beauty of my experience of ocean racing. Maybe it captures something of what Simon loved about sailing.

Ocean Surf

Standing proud against the tilting of the sea The helmsman anticipates each bullying twist, Bears away to meet the massing wave, Churning roar beneath the stern Then lift, rush, roaring gush, Prow dipping deep; Cascades advance to midships, Bible black streams emerald, white With foaming crown.
Hold it, surf it, before the drop.

Our speedboat wakes track back,
deep welling furrow to leeward,
Fine tracery its twin,
Stretch a lacy record of our progress.

Clouds thicken with advancing night,
Bones sense the chilling air,
Spray strafes the deck.
Reluctant watch prepares to meet the wind and rain, Deep visored, climb up And face the crazy angled world; Grope through welcoming forms and then, Like old explorers huddle Nor flinch against the assault of spray and wave; Watch the rush of luminescent foam And star-like sparks in streaking mass And lilting tapestry of green Against the night.