Race 7 - Day 9
Crew Diary - Sweaty Betty Returns
03 March
IMAGE: Credit Maeva Bardy
With the Race 6 victory behind us we set off on Race 7 expecting everything to be thrown at us and for sure, we most certainly have had such a ride. A ‘short race’ of 1600nm but with a lot more weather thrown at us, no wind, squalls, beating upwind for a week (a delightful experience of living at 40 degrees) and then the joys of downwind surfing only to face no wind towards the end of the race yet again - déjà vu as to what we faced at the end of Race 6!! Galley duty at such an angle was definitely an experience that has to be seen to be believed. Food flies everywhere and the simplest of tasks become a struggle.
Watch Life
What is watch life like? It is truly a never ending process of eat, sail, sleep, repeat - In many ways uncomplicated, so very pure and simple. You do your tasks and then hit your rack, only you never fully recharge (like a battery). Sleeps are short and sharp and never long enough: one minute you are pinned against your lee cloth and the next the side of the boat as we tack/gibe. I love the watch leader Kaz coming around with her dulcet tones waking me every few hours (I will probably still dream about this when I return home). There are many characters on board but a special mention for ‘Uncle Albert’ (aka Paul Mascard) watch would not be the same as we spend hours telling ‘low-side’ jokes which are vitally important for morale in the middle of the night.
IMAGE: Credit Maeva Bardy
The end of Leg 5 is upon us and what an adventure it has been. We have achieved our first victory and scoring gate points which is testament to the fortitude and ethos of Team WTC Logistics. You cannot do this alone (well Sir Robin did). They say it takes a village to raise a child and in a similar vein it takes a team to race a boat. However we need a conductor to lead us and Skipper Rich Gould has been that person throughout, coaching and honing us into a cohesive team to achieve great results.
A prime example was last evening when the halyard of our Spinnaker snapped and the off-watch were called on deck to assist; no grumbles or complaints and out of our beds in minutes to pull the Code 3 Spinnaker on deck, which on this occasion was a mammoth task! It now needs some serious love and CPR when we return to Subic Bay (I did see a tear in Laurence’s eye as she now has to get her sewing machine out again).
Why do we do this to ourselves? For me it was to challenge myself physically and mentally. Our bodies are more resilient than we give them credit for, we acquiesce too soon and never give them the chance to see what we can actually achieve. We spend too much time overthinking the past and future, that we forget to enjoy the moment (put social media away, leave the phone alone).
As the Clipper Race simply states:This is The Race of Your Life. For me that simple statement is so very true.
IMAGE: Credit Maeva Bardy
Our time in Subic Bay has been amazing, the people have been so warm and welcoming and we definitely had a few opportunities to blow off some steam (the cold beers and fresh food was very welcome). Most of the team spent a few days resting and recuperating in Boracay, which was needed. However, I am looking forward to getting home to my family and friends and regaling the adventures I have experienced on Leg 5. They will be tired off... “This one time at the Clipper Race...”
I will be back for Leg 8 and I cannot wait for this experience to continue. To all the teams, until we meet again in NYC, good speed and fair winds.
Love to family and friends at home and a special thanks to St Germans Primary School who have been glued to the race viewer – I look forward to coming to speak to you about the adventures so far.
Roger Out