35nm from the finish, a small chance to escape from the drizzle and grey on deck to pop downstairs and reflect on our North Pacific Crossing. The crew have battled upwind conditions, wind holes (both at the start of the race and now at the finish), freezing cold and everything in between, but they have as always done it with a smile and positive attitude that is most admirable.
I’m sure all the Skippers are thinking about their debrief to the crew at the end of this but mine is easy, no matter what happens in these last 35nm I am proud of everything we have achieved, we took a risk pushing north to the cold and upwind conditions and for a minute it looked like it might work, but then the forecast changed and we fell behind. Their resolve stayed and they kept pushing to maintain our position and hope to be within striking distance of the front boats if possible. Somehow the gods of the winds where listening and earlier today we found ourselves sailing along with Perseverance under a mile behind us, hot on the chase. But the crew have again refocused and now we will do everything to keep/make as many places as possible in the final wind hole challenge.
No doubt we won't make many friends, but this has been an epic race for all sorts of reasons. This final shake up of what at one time looked like a fairly organised finish order is yet another twist in this Ultimate Test of Perseverance.
On deck tunes: Electric House
On deck chat: Pure sailing as it should be with 35NM to go
On deck snack: Home made shortbread
Max and the hard chasing and determined crew of CV21