Race 2 - Day 3
Crew Diary - Race 2, Day 3
18 September

Paul Mascard
Paul Mascard
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Keeping the end goal in sight

Loved ones, supporters, goodbyes, good weather, difficult weather, ocean passage, broaches, reunions, relaxation, heat, work details, goodbyes (again), close quarter racing, wind holes, heads (always the heads) and there are still 38,000 miles ahead of me!

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a maximum capacity experience. There are no grey areas, it is 100% full on, 100% of the time and I’m not just talking about the sailing. For the period we have individually committed to, this boat is our entire life and world. There is no respite from living, eating and sailing in a racing yacht with 20 other people. You adapt, you reset the norm, and you find new ways to provide some contrast in daily life.

I am lapping this challenge up and I am struggling with it in equal measures. It would be easy to decide that my former comfort zone was more comfortable, and to decide that I didn’t need to put myself through this because it would be true. My life certainly didn’t feel unfulfilled and I didn’t feel that something was missing. I didn’t even feel that I needed a life experience. Racing around the world just fires up my imagination.

The moon has always looked like a big rock to me, the Earth an even bigger one and the solar system and galaxy beyond are things I can only imagine. How does this relate to a circumnavigation? Well, I can visualise my voyage as if I am looking at a large globe in a school library and I can “see” the path I am following across its surface. The scale of this planet, it’s people, flora, fauna, countries, continents and oceans all spring into my mind’s eye as if I was looking down at the Earth from space. This planet is precious and visualising it this way reminds me that being able to attempt to travel all the way around its surface is an honour. I love it.

Romantic nonsense? Possibly or probably, but it is the scale of that imagery that I use to keep on going. Taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race requires commitment and something to focus on, because living in this small boat, on these large oceans, is a full on experience, neither good nor bad, just all there is. 100% involvement 100% of the time. I’ve found that sleeping requires commitment, eating requires commitment and sailing competitively needs commitment. All of this effort and commitment was brutally challenged when we, the crew of WTC Logistics, found ourselves at the bottom of the leader-board. The thought that 100% effort may not be enough is terrifying. The crew of WTC Logistics will continue to give 100% regardless, we know we will not get the results without it, and the results are what we all would like.

So, my reasons for taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, romantic or not, are enough to keep me going at the relentless pace of this globally localised racing yacht life.

Bring on the next 38,000 miles. I am ready.