Ello folks
Right, I'm going to share something that annoys me - it's a term used regularly by the sailing community and a scenario we find ourselves in most races. The term is 'drag race' and if I were to use it in a sentence I'd say, "Well folks we're in for a real drag race".
“What is a drag race I hear you ask?” It's when all the boats have a lot of wind behind them, and they go really fast (I'll be the first to admit it's a lot of fun). The problem is, I don't think the description matches the activity. So, a drag race is traditionally a quarter-mile race between two cars. It first started at the traffic lights in America when people with more horsepower than brain cells, would race between traffic lights. But now in the modern world it's on a purpose built track and you can get rocket propelled cars, to jet powered motorcycles as well as your standard muscle car, which in its own way is pretty cool. BUT! And this is the main BUT: It’s over in a matter of seconds, yes they need lightning fast reflexes and balls that need to be carted around in wheelbarrows, but again, it's over in SECONDS! Where for us, we can be "drag racing" for days or even weeks! I feel it’s more a game of darts… hear me out now.
You don't see many racing drivers sipping tea behind the wheel or discussing the pitfalls of a diet rich in butter beans, chickpeas and lentils (which then quickly moves south). Like a game of darts you stand up, to take your turn whether that be grinding, trimming or helming. And when you've done your stint you sit back down to reapply suncream or take a layer off, or try to find the last spot of shade. Then there's the noise that drag races produce, great big V8 or V12 engines rumbling away. The darts player hears a gentle thud, as the dart strikes the bullseye. And lastly, is that of our athleticism, like dart players we are made up of all different shapes and sizes and somehow we make it work against the odds.
Well our drag race is coming to an end as we've hit a windhole.
Josh, Hugo and the crew of Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
Song of the day: The Damned - New Rose
P.S We may of exploded our code 3 (1-1)