Race 7 - Day 22
Crew Diary - Race 7 Day 22
16 February

Previously unknown muscles now slightly tremble with anticipation - or more likely fear – of what lies in the immediate future. Already wet with an acrid mixture of seawater and sweat making stability borderline impossible, unchartered exhaustion levels and a deep darkness enveloped in the dimmed red glow of night time operations. This is a mental and physical challenge only possible on a Clipper 70, in race conditions and having passed the associated crew assessment line item exercise tested within a pontoon-secured boat.

One would infer an apt description of the ‘headsail change’ task; navigating the pulpit, hanking on the Yankee Three in 25kn winds, 5m swell, and a bow in constant movement. But alas, that is far simpler, exceedingly more enjoyable, and in the solid green box on the risk matrix. Opposite of the also time-sensitive event which confronts me; climbing into the top bunk, on the same-tack-for-five-days high side. An exercise is more fit for an Olympic-level gymnast than an amateur contortionist, conducted on average seven times a day.

I make eye contact and nod apprehensively with my bunk buddy at watch change, one of the small company crewmates who share this experience. We’ve discussed at length numerous strategies; bribes of the helm to bare away just for a moment to allow a flatter pivot, and the point at which the sodden sail locker becomes a solution despite the oh-while-you’re-here sail change interruption. Cries of desperate appreciation from those with almost equal bunk allocation misfortune (the one below) who bear very close witness to such attempts (and subsequent results), often in nothing more than the same-underpants-for-five-days off-watch uniform.

Yet … I wouldn’t be anywhere else, knowing it will be a short time before the oddly placed obtained bruises disappear or I complain about a mattress being too firm or soft, the exponential number of display-only bed cushions that are my usual pre-horizontal obstacle or being the big spoon again.

Love to my beautiful family and those following at home.