AQP Blog
Hello,
The last four days have been a real test for the crew and the boat. On what is meant to be a fast downwind leg, we have so far have done a total of two days downwind, and it is really starting to show. This might not be the same for other boats, but it sure hasn't been easy race so far. I guess that why race is called the Ultimate Test of Perseverance. Today was my testing day, where I reached the end of my tether. Zhuhai decided to really test us today. I guess that why boats are female: just like any woman, if you look after them and keep them happy, they will look after you. However, every now and then they will get feisty and will test you and keep you on your toes. Just like the crew I think poor Zhuhai has had enough of up wind sailing and was done being nice for the day. The boats have been built so well and can withstand anything you throw at them but like all boats they have their niggles.
My day started with little sleep after a night of slamming into waves, sliding and jumping out of my bunk with each wave and pulling myself back in every ten minutes. I think every crew member can relate to that. Not to forget the bilge alarm going off every 30 minutes, waking me up with nice ring in the ear. I wasn't in the best of moods.
As with everyone on the boat and this long time at sea, the aches and pains are starting to show. With a few sore legs, ribs, arms, ankles, shoulders and wrists, for me it's my back. You try to squeeze yourself into a spot in the bunk where you can't move for the night, so you come up with inventive ways to sleep. I'm one of the youngest members in on the boat so hats off to every crew member who tirelessly climb around the boat and puts every effort in helping us get to where we are.
As the morning started, due to the watch system, I had missed breakfast and decided to go straight up on deck with no tea or bread. I was convinced by Jess that it was foul weather gear rather than dry suit day. Both decisions I now regret.
As the morning started, I noticed the bilge was flooding in the galley, explaining the alarm, I guess. I then went on to inspect the lazarette, which was also flooded. All very common on a boat going up with waves coming over the side, it is just of case of managing it. However, the laz came with an unexpected surprise, where a few bin bags had exploded, meaning a 10-minute job turned into to 5-hour job. Shout out has to go to Andrew, Frank, Dickie and Fredrick and of course Skipper James who all jumped in without a grumble and got stuck in, picking rubbish out while bailing the water. Not the idea of paradise, but the reality of parts of ocean racing. After half the job had been done, the wind started to build past 30 + knots. Time for sail change. Now its 1 o'clock and I still hadn't eaten lunch or breakfast. Not a happy man.
I was on the way to the sail locker to eat half my bowl of noodles and carry on going, to find the bunkers had broken and the sail we need is at the bottom of three sails. As two of us get the Yankee 3 out, I put my foot straight through box lid to see the onions fly across the locker. I laugh to myself wishing I'd had that tea. As we get the sail out through the hatch, at its final point as the hatch is about to close, the ultimate wave comes crashing in, soaking us head to toe. Free salt water shower, I guess. As I head back up on deck throwing my hat and snood in the corner in frustration, eating second half of the noodles, I hear my name shouted. I head up on deck, one crew member’s life jacket has inflated and another two are holding the sail as the rail dips into the water. I rush to give a hand. As Dickie moves down below to get a new life jacket (it happens on rare occasions, a life jacket inflates while on deck just when a wave comes over and gets wet enough) its time to get on top of the sail and we go into very standard sail drop and hoist. Tired, wet, exhausted and little bit sick from eating noodles too quick, everything happened very quickly and smoothly. It is a real testament to the skill level on the boat and the crew’s nature to battle through. It doesn't stop there. now time to flake the sail and put a reef in. Six hours fly past!
To add only to joy of joys, my dry suit collar ripped in half last night and the forward heads are broken, so I have the fun task of taking that apart when the boat is slightly more stable as could turn into a shitty situation.
All in all, it doesn't seem like a bad day, but a very standard day sailing. It could be worse, and nothing was damaged. It's just one of those testing days of patience where everything adds up as we forget what life is like not at 45 degrees. But like everything in life, it won't last for ever. The crew have these challenges every day and must overcome little battles throughout. It's how we work through them as a team which brings us together and keeps us going and makes it all worth it.
It's part of the reason why we do this race and especially Leg 6.It’s not always going to be plain sailing. With this leg in particular, we do it to achieve something remarkable and to test ourselves physically and mentally, beyond our comfort zones, and to overcome some of our fears and make ourselves stronger. That's why this is an adventure, a challenge and race of your life. I just wish was slightly shorter and downwind!!!