Race 2 - Day 13
Crew Diary - Race 2 Day 13: Punta del Este to Cape Town
17 October
You may remember during Leg 1, my arch enemy (but very good friend) Dan 'The Dunker' Eastley wrote a blog about feelings. Our journey so far on Leg 2 has provided many an opportunity to reflect on life, the universe and everything, particularly on deck on star-filled nights. Here's my attempt to share a few of my feelings during the last twelve days....
Affection - for our amazing crew. We're a motley bunch from all walks of life with different experiences behind us and different reasons for wanting to be here. In 'normal' life (whatever that is) we would never have crossed paths but throw us together in a big pink tin can, let us loose on the Atlantic and what emerges is a dedicated, smart, funny, slightly bonkers team supporting and encouraging each other across thousands of miles of ocean. We miss our Leg 1 leavers and we'll have to say goodbyes again at the end of this leg, but we'll always be the only ones who knew what it was really like to be a part of the Liverpool 2018 team in the Clipper 17/18 race.
Trepidation - prior to the race I had all sorts of apprehensions and pre-match nerves. What if I've forgotten how to sail? What if the conditions get too scary and I freak out? What if someone gets hurt? What if I wrap a spinnaker and cost us points? What if I don't have enough layers? And most importantly....how will I cope without Haribo?
Exhilaration - it's hard to describe the feeling of standing at the helm and having control of a 70 foot racing yacht surfing down big waves at 20 knots with the spinnaker flying - such a rush! And just this morning helming in light winds at sunrise with a pod of dolphins leaping alongside the boat - a different kind of joy. Before the Clipper Race I had never sailed before and I still have to pinch myself when I realise how far I've come.
Gratitude - to have been in a position to take part in this race, with this crew and with a ridiculous amount of support from my family and friends back home. I'm so lucky.
Anticipation - at seeing my family in Cape Town in a few days and spending a month there before heading out to Fremantle to rejoin the race for Leg 4.
It's hard to believe that by the end of this leg I'll have sailed 10,000 miles. The sights and experiences will stay with me forever and I'm already looking forward to whatever the All-Australia Leg brings. In the meantime I'll be joining all the supporters, developing my own race viewer addiction and willing on the big pink boat and her crew across the Southern Ocean. Think Pink!