Race 13 - Day 4
Skipper Report
26 July

We must be nearing the end of a big long eleven month adventure - challenge - or something - because for the past three days I've been an emotional wreck! It's like someone turned the tap on after a year-long blockage. I think I may be worrying the crew though ... so today is pulling myself together day (there's been a few of those this year).

So, today is my quarter century day - 25 years young. If someone had said to me 10 years ago that on my 25 birthday I would be crossing my tracks of a circumnavigation on a 70-foot boat machine with these amazing, fearless, strong, inspiring people that are my crew - I would have likely rolled my eyes. Is this really happening? Is anyone else pinching themselves yet? No matter how many times I do I just can't seem to get it in my head.

Stuck in the moment - stuck in the race - just trying to sail as fast as we can, catch up with PSP Logistics, shake our shadow (the lovely Wendo and Sanya Serenity Coast team ... you guys do have a gorgeous boat) off our tail - and hopefully get a podium position overall. Too busy to reflect - too focused maybe - perhaps that's a big issue with all of our lives. Always connected - on our phones, tablets, news channels, TV's - not a lot of time to stand back and look in at what is going on in our lives. See the amazing things, and places, and sights, and people in our lives.

Away from the deep meaningful reflection and back to racing. We rounded Virtual Mark Fastnet after another pretty dismal day of bad decisions ... vs Qingdao's and Liverpool 2018's excellent ones (brilliant work Lance and Chris and teams!). So, it's again the day of picking up our feet, digging deep for that steely determination, and trying our best to catch up for the umpteenth time. Think strong gritty thoughts for us today. Thanks :)

Sailing with style - Nik