Race 1 - Day 25
Crew Diary - Race 1 Day 25: Liverpool to Punta del Este
14 September
“GRIND”..... “HOLD”..... “EASE....”. The seemingly endless shouts of commands from above deck, echoing throughout the boat, start to piece together as if they are a song. Then there are the subsequent “creeks”, “groans” and other in-descriptive sounds from the boat and waves, resulting from adjustments to it by the crew, though orchestrated by the Skipper. The boat increases speed another 0.5 knots, now averaging 12.5 knots.
The boat is in “Race Mode”.... the Skipper, like a grand band conductor, orchestrating his musicians to get the “song” sounding perfect. In this case, the “song” is a mixture of sounds we hear from the wind, waves and resulting boat and how it sings out to us, as it strives for its maximum speed given the prevailing weather conditions. The song promises to be a memorable song.
As the boat “sings” another tune, life for its “musicians” are not easy. The boat heeling or leaning over to 45 degrees makes for the normal easy / menial tasks of moving, dressing, and using the toilet very strenuous, complicated, frustrating and at times, downright messy. Then there are the frequent and timely “wave crashes” as the 45-tonne loaded boat becomes airborne out the top of a wave and comes furiously crashing down, initiating to life the base drum / percussion section of the “band”. These sharp, almost ear-piercing wave crashes displace tonnes of water causing the boat to violently surge, throwing around anything or person which is not “secured” or “holding firmly”. A source of many bruises, frustrations and broken “instruments” for the “musicians”. However, the song is progressing....it will definitely be a grand song.
The “concert practices” are taking its toll on its “musicians”, as they are bruised, battered and tired. Inspiringly, the unbroken “conductor” - Skipper Dan rallies his musicians, and cues the band for another “song” or sail evolution in the ongoing pursuit of being the best sounding “band” or fastest boat within the fleet. Practice makes perfect.... and so far, the songs are evolving, partly as a result of the persevering focus and team work of the “musicians”.
“GRIND”..... ”HOLD”..... ”EASE....” ….. the “conductor” works the “musicians” through another rendition of a song. Although in its infancy, it promises to be a grand concert when completed in July 2018, one in which the musicians will never forget. Truly an experience of a life time.
RTW - “Cowboy”
a.k.a. Don Peterson